asked the Minister for Local Government and Public Health if he is aware that according to the Infant Aid Society report for 1939-40 recently issued, the society has been compelled to cut down the amount of milk available for distribution because of the increased price of milk and the increase, due to unemployment, in the number of needy families; and, if so, whether in order to enable the society to continue its work and to enlarge its activities, he will recommend an increase in the existing grant of £30,000.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Free Milk Supply.
Mr. Byrne
Dublin City has been allocated its full proportion of the amount voted for the provision of free milk for necessitous children. No increase in the grant can be authorised.
Mr. Byrne
Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that, since the increase in the price of milk, the quantity distributed in necessitous cases had to make up the difference between the cheaper price and the dearer price and that, in consequence, a certain number of children have been deprived of a quantity of milk? Surely, in the interest of public health, when children are proved to be necessitous, the grant should be increased to meet the increased cost of the milk so that these children would receive the quantity that the Parliamentary Secretary thought necessary a year ago.
The total amount of the grant has already been allocated. No further provision can be made by way of allocation unless additional funds are made available by the Minister for Finance.
Mr. Byrne
That means that the increase in price has to be paid for by the children who are receiving the milk.
If the Deputy desires to put a question to the Parliamentary Secretary, he may do so, but he is not at liberty to make statements in reply to the Minister.
Mr. Byrne
That is the question I want to put.