asked the Minister for Local Government and Public Health if he is aware that a number of vouchers were issued to people in Swords and other districts under the footwear scheme; that these people have not been supplied with the footwear; and if he will make arrangements to have supplies of footwear made available for those people.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Footwear Vouchers.
The Balrothery Board of Assistance was authorised on the 24th July, 1946, to distribute 340 footwear vouchers as a first issue during the current year. I have no information that persons to whom these vouchers were issued have been unable to exchange them for footwear. On the contrary, I have been informed that the main suppliers of footwear in Swords have ample stocks of official footwear.
I should emphasise that the actual distribution of official footwear is not subject to control by my Department. The footwear forms part of a retailer's ordinary quota and is issued through the normal trade channels. When the footwear scheme was introduced retailers were advised by public notice that they should consult the local officers of the public assistance authority so as to relate their orders for official footwear to the estimated local requirements under the scheme.
Does the Minister suggest that he received no representations from me in connection with people in Swords who could not get footwear for these vouchers? Further, I may say——
The Deputy is getting into the habit of imparting information instead of seeking it.
Is the Minister aware that I made representations to his colleague on his right to the effect that there were no boots in Swords and that he got in touch with various firms in connection with the matter?
I can only repeat what I have said, that I have no information that persons to whom these vouchers were issued have been unable to exchange them for footwear and have been informed that the main suppliers of footwear in Swords have ample stocks of official footwear to meet any vouchers issued.
Does the Minister suggest that he did not get a letter from me enclosing a voucher in respect of which boots could not be supplied, which he returned.
I should not say that that is information that people who had these vouchers were unable to exchange them if they went to the quarters where the stocks were.