asked the Minister for Agriculture if he will extend the provisions of the Free Beef Scheme so as to include in its scope a weekly allowance of free meat to old age pensioners.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Extension of Free Beef Scheme.
asked the Minister for Agriculture if he is prepared to extend the benefits of the Free Meat Scheme to those who are in receipt of disablement benefit under the National Health Insurance Acts.
Dr. Ryan
I will reply to Questions Nos. 35 and 36 together. I am not prepared at present to consider an extension of the scheme to any classes of persons other than those specifically mentioned in sub-section (1) of Section 43 of the Slaughter of Cattle and Sheep Act, 1934.
Is the Minister not satisfied that a person in receipt of sickness benefit under the National Health Insurance Act is not in a worse position than a person who is getting 15/- or 20/- a week unemployment benefit at the Labour Exchange?