asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce whether he is aware of serious shortages of food in many households in the rural districts of Bantry and Schull, owing to the fact that potatoes and oatmeal are not available and to the further fact that bread supplies in such households are inadequate; and if he will have supplementary food supplies made available for purchase in such districts.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Food Shortages in West Cork.
I am advised that growers' stocks of potatoes in some districts in West Cork are running short, but that supplies can be obtained in the open market. Oatmeal has been scarce generally due to the poor yield from the last harvest, but imported supplies are now available and allocations are being made to the areas referred to by the Deputy.
Is the Minister aware that there is a large surplus of potatoes in South Monaghan which the growers there apprehend may go to waste if they are not permitted to export them? If he does not intend to allow them to be exported, will he consider using the facilities of his Department to bring the areas of scarcity, such as those referred to in the question, in direct contact with areas of surplus such as South Monaghan?
The problem is not one of a general scarcity of potatoes, but of the reluctance of people, who normally relied on their own production, to pay market prices for them.
Would the Minister consider using the machinery of his Department, in an advisory or other capacity, to persuade the people who have quantities of potatoes in South Monaghan, believing it to be possible to dispose of them, to dispose of them to these people in West Cork or any other area of scarcity? It is silly to let the potatoes go bad and the people of Schull to go hungry for want of bringing the two together.
Will the Minister indicate in what towns in West Cork are potatoes for sale?
I understand that arrangements have been made to ensure adequate supplies of potatoes in all the towns in West Cork.
I will sell the Deputy 2,000 tons now, if he will take them.
Potatoes are not for sale in the towns in West Cork. Has the Minister sent inspectors to Skibbereen and other districts where complaints have been made to investigate complaints of the food scarcity?
No. Inspectors of the Department were in the Beara Peninsula.
When I complained about the Beara Peninsula, I informed the Department that a scarcity on a smaller scale existed in Skibbereen. Is he taking any steps to inquire into that scarcity? If anything happens down there, the Minister and his Department will be held responsible.
If the Deputy will slap my hand, I will sell him 1,000 tons now.