asked the Minister for Agriculture if he will state whether he is aware that the supplies of vegetables reaching Dublin at the present time are quite inadequate, and that the retail prices are exorbitant; and if he will state whether he has caused any examination into the volume of vegetables reaching the city, the prices paid to the producer and the prices charged to the retail buyer; and, if so, if he will issue a statement on the matter; and, if not, if he will state whether he proposes to make such inquiry with a view to endeavouring to secure an adequate supply of vegetables at reasonable retail prices.
Ceisteanna.—Questions. Oral Answers. - Vegetable Supplies to Dublin.
Reports obtained weekly by my Department on the supplies and wholesale prices of vegetables sold on the Dublin market indicate that supplies are now normal, but that there was a scarcity during the month of September, possibly because farmers were busy with harvest work.
Some vegetables are fetching higher prices on the Dublin market at present than at this time last year. Having regard to increased costs of production and transport difficulties, wholesale prices on the Dublin market cannot at present be regarded as exorbitant. The question of retail prices is under constant review by the Department of Supplies.
Has the Minister made any special inquiry into the present retail prices, because they are extraordinarily high in the city, and, as a result, people are not getting their normal supply of vegetables? The effect on the health of the people, particularly in crowded districts, is likely to be very bad.
I have got a note of the wholesale prices for the past four weeks as compared with those for a similar period last year. On the whole, they are about the same. Some of the prices are higher and some are lower. The one exception is cabbage, which is much dearer this year than it was last year. That is, of course, a very important vegetable. There is no reason why the retail prices should be very much higher than they were last year, and the Department of Supplies is investigating the position.
Is the Minister aware that there is an ample supply of vegetables in Rush and the area around there, but that the people concerned are not getting a sufficient petrol allowance to bring adequate supplies to the city?
The supply is all right.
Is the Minister aware that 6d. per head has been paid for indifferent cabbage in the poorer districts of the city, and will he take some steps to bring the price of cabbage down to a level which will enable poorer people to buy it and so try to maintain themselves in health?
I noticed that in this morning's paper it was stated that cabbages were in good supply and sold at reasonable prices.
That is in the market. I am referring to people who go into a shop to buy cabbage. Cabbage was sold at 6d. a head in Dublin, which is an outrageous price.
Will the Minister see, if further investigations are being pursued, that inquiries are made from the dispensary officers in some of the poorer districts of the city?
Although this question was put down to the Department of Supplies, it mainly concerned my Department. Retail prices are under constant review by the Department of Supplies.