asked the Minister for Local Government and Public Health whether he has received a request from the Donegal Board of Health for increased financial assistance under the free milk supply scheme, and whether in view of the distress prevailing in the western areas of the county he will give the request his favourable consideration.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Donegal Board of Health.
A resolution of the board requesting an increased grant was received on the 3rd instant. The board have been informed (11th instant) that no further grant can be made available in the current financial year. The amount allocated to the board from the National Free Milk Supply Grant was based on their expenditure on the supply of milk during the last financial year, and it was the duty of the board to administer the grant in the most advantageous manner. It is evident, however, from a survey of the monthly expenditure that the board did not carry out the instructions of the Department to conserve the greater portion of the grant for the winter period when claims for milk are more urgent and numerous.
Will the Parliamentary Secretary consider increasing the grant in the coming financial year in view of the fact that the Donegal local authority represents to him that the need for free milk is pressing and greater than the existing grant will permit them to fill?
The grant is based on the expenditure on free milk in the preceding year. No increase can be made for the current year and, presumably, next year's grant will be allocated on the same basis and, unless the Minister for Finance makes a larger amount available for distribution, I cannot hold out hope that there will be any considerable increase in the amount that will be available.
Will the Parliamentary Secretary consider making representations to the Department of Finance that money provided for the purpose of supplying free milk has a dual advantage, inasmuch as it provides an eminently desirable social service and, at the same time, provides one of the few effective alternative markets for agricultural produce in this country? With those facts in mind, will he urge the Minister for Finance to provide additional money in the coming year so that this need will not go unprovided for in 1936-37?
I should like to remind the Deputy that last year a sum of £4,762 was allocated to the Donegal Board and they expended only £2,299. If they had availed of the full amount placed at their disposal last year, they would have got a correspondingly increased grant this year.
May I point out that any failure on their part to avail of the grant in the way suggested was almost certainly due to inexperience or to a misapprehension on their part? If they are given the opportunity of availing of a grant as big as the original grant hereafter I have no doubt they will avail of it to the full.