asked the Minister for Supplies if he will say whether he is aware of the very serious position which exists in the Adrigole-Glengariff district of West Cork owing to an acute shortage of flour, and if he will take immediate steps to have the situation remedied.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Flour Shortage.
I am not aware that there is any serious shortage of flour in the Adrigole-Glengariff district of West Cork. I have seen a statement prepared by the Adrigole Parish Council from which it appears that the people in that area are receiving at least as much flour per head as those in other areas in the country. Unless it should become possible to release larger supplies of flour, no increase in the allocation to the Adrigole area can be made. I cannot trace any complaints from the Glengariff area.
Surely the Minister is aware that 3½ lbs. of flour per head per week for the people of the Adrigole parish is not a satisfactory allowance?
It is all that is available for the people of the country as a whole.
The distributors of flour to that area were cut 5 per cent. in their supplies a month ago.
No.
Well, I have a communication here from one of them saying that they were cut down 5 per cent. in order that more would go to the distressed areas. Does not the Minister consider the parish of Adrigole a distressed area?
There has been no cut in the supplies to the Adrigole area.
In view of the fact that they have no potatoes, no maize, and no oats, surely it would come under the heading of a distressed area?
There has been no cut in the supply there. The traders in the Adrigole area are receiving 80 per cent. of their supplies, representing approximately 3½ lbs. per head per week, which is equal to the average distribution over the whole country.
I am surprised to learn that it is the average supply of flour per head through the whole country. Having received complaints from this district, I wrote to the Minister a month ago asking him to send an official to Adrigole, as he has done in regard to other areas, and I have heard nothing from him since. In view of the importance of this matter, and the unsatisfactory reply which I have received, I wish to give notice that, with your permission, Sir, I will raise it on the adjournment.