asked the Minister for Local Government and Public Health if he is aware that many necessitous children in County Wexford are not getting the milk to which they are entitled under the free milk scheme; and if he will arrange that sufficient milk for the purpose be made available in districts where it is needed.
Ceisteanna.—Questions. Oral Answers. - Free Milk Scheme (Wexford).
It is a matter for the sanitary authority to ensure that, as far as practicable, the Government grant allocated for the supply of free milk will be so expended as to maintain continuous issues of milk allowances to necessitous children in the county health district of Wexford. Normally, my Department does not interfere in the matter but I am causing inquiries to be made as to the difficulties which have arisen in the present case.
The Minister says that his Department does not interfere in the matter. Is he aware that there are hundreds of children in County Wexford who are not getting the milk to which they are entitled, but yet the taxpayer has to pay for it? I suggest to the Minister that it is his duty to interfere in the matter, as there are hundreds of necessitous children in the district who are deprived of the milk to which they are entitled.
I do not think that is correct. According to my information, there are only two areas affected in County Wexford, and the number of children concerned would be about 59. Interference by the Department of Local Government and Public Health in the matter is not a question of obligation, but an act of grace in order to help out the local authority.
Give the parents the money and they will provide the milk.
And even then the children might not get the milk, either.