14.— (1) (a) Each year the Minister may, out of moneys provided by the Oireachtas, pay to each local authority a grant of such amount as the Minister may determine for the purpose of defraying expenditure by the local authority in the performance of its functions relating to civil defence.

(b) This subsection is in addition to, and not in substitution for, section 35 of the Air-Raid Precautions Act 1939.

(2) A grant paid to a local authority under this section shall not be used by the local authority for any purpose other than that specified in subsection (1).