asked the Minister for Supplies if he is aware of the scarcity of candles and paraffin oil for lighting purposes in the homes of the workers in the City of Dublin, and also of the excessive prices demanded for candles from people on inadequate wages and allowances; and if he will take steps to control the prices and allocation so that those without any other means of lighting their apartments will be provided for.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Price of Candles.
There are no supplies of paraffin oil at present available for domestic lighting in Dublin or elsewhere. Candles are scarce generally due to the impossibility of obtaining adequate supplies of raw materials in present conditions and because production is regulated to permit of increased distribution in the winter months. The price of both these commodities is fixed; if the Deputy has information concerning any attempt at overcharging he should report the matter to my Department.
The total supplies of candles available are so small in relation to the number of households with no alternative means of lighting that a rationing scheme for candles is not practicable.
Will the Minister state what the people in tenement houses in the City of Dublin, who have no paraffin oil or gas, are to do for lighting? Take the case of people in the Bride Street area or other such areas, who have no paraffin oil or gas; what are these people going to do?
That is a separate question.
Will the Minister undertake to allocate a supply of candles to the areas where they are required— areas that are without lighting of any kind? Even where candles are available, these people come to me and say: "Mr. Byrne, we are compelled to pay 7½d. for a 1d. candle." I only want to protect these people, and I want the Minister to say whether he will undertake to allocate a sufficient supply of candles to these unfortunate people at a reasonable price.
In connection with this question, I should like to know from the Minister what is being done to utilise the enormous amount of animal fats that are available, as a result of certain animals being destroyed under the orders of the Minister for Local Government and Public Health. What is being done in the way of utilising these animal fats for the manufacture of candles throughout the country?
Every practical step that can be taken is being taken to make use of all the available animal fats. If the Deputy can give me particulars of any case in which these fats are being wasted, I shall be glad to hear them, but the Deputy should bear in mind that these animal fats are being used in connection with certain industries, notably, soap manufacture.
Are these unfortunate people to be left without any lighting? Are they not to get some supplies of paraffin oil or candles?
I cannot give out paraffin oil or candles that are not there. If candles are available, they will be distributed. This emergency exists all through the country as well as in Dublin. In the past, we have only been able to make supplies available for the winter months, and I hope to be able to do so for the coming winter.
Will the Minister undertake to make supplies available to the most necessitous people, even if he has to give these candles out for nothing and subsidise them?
The supply of candles is kept down during the summer months, so as to be able to increase the supply in the winter months, and I think that that is good policy.