asked the Minister for Local Government and Public Health if he is aware that children's boots and clothing are too costly for many thousands of children of necessitous parents and if it is now proposed to make any concessions for those unable to provide them from their own inadequate resources.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Price of Children's Boots and Clothing.
I would refer the Deputy to the reply given to his question on the 20th June last in which it was stated that the provision of boots and clothing which may be required by those in receipt of public assistance is a matter for the public assistance authority. A scheme for the distribution of footwear at reduced rates to children of persons with low weekly incomes is likely to be brought into operation in November.
Can the Parliamentary Secretary say on what terms the poorer people and people on low rates of pay will be able to provide boots or clothes for their children, even if they are not on home assistance? It is very difficult for people with small wages to get on home assistance. What are they to do if they require boots, shoes or clothing for their children, many of whom are almost naked? If the Parliamentary Secretary would come with me for a ten-minute walk from this House——
The Deputy has not asked a supplementary question.
On what conditions are poor people who are not on home assistance to get boots and clothes for their children? Let the Government subsidise them and give them a chance.
It is quite clear that the Deputy was not paying the slightest attention to the reply which I gave to his question. I stated in the reply: "A scheme for the distribution of footwear at reduced rates to children of persons with low weekly incomes is likely to be brought into operation in November." I might as well have been talking to the wall as talking to the Deputy when I made that reply. He wants his little bit of window-dressing here at the expense of the poor.
I object to the cheap jibes of the Parliamentary Secretary. He referred to the previous reply given in respect of the children of parents on home assistance. I want to know if the children of parents who are not on home assistance will be included in the scheme. I do not want cheap jibes from the Parliamentary Secretary.
The Deputy has not paid the slightest attention to the reply which I gave him.