asked the Minister for Local Government and Public Health if he will state the number of beef vouchers issued weekly subsequent to January 1st, 1935, in each urban area and county board of health district by the officers of these local authorities, and the number of persons in respect of whom these issues were made.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Issue of Beef Vouchers.
It is regretted that it is not possible from the records available to furnish the information asked for by the Deputy.
Will the Minister say what difficulty is experienced in furnishing the information? I take it there can be no difficulty in the assistance officer getting the record of the number of vouchers distributed. If that information were not available the matter would be open to grave abuse. Would it not be possible for the assistance officer or the superintendent home assistance officer to ascertain what the precise number of vouchers issued was? That seems essential in connection with the matter.
We have not got any return so far.
Does the Minister expect they will be furnished at an early date?
Not except specifically asked for.
Might I suggest that good account keeping and good house-keeping would make it necessary to ascertain precisely how many vouchers are issued and how many people they cover. I think the information should be available not only to the Department but from a public point of view as well.
I will have further inquiries made.