asked the Minister for Agriculture if he is aware that Galway County Council was informed on 6th February, 1951, by the Department of Social Welfare that it may not increase its expenditure on the Schools Meals (Gaeltacht) Scheme to meet the increased cost of bread resulting from his Order that subsidised flour may not be used by contractors under the scheme, and that the service has been curtailed to the extent of £2,000 a year in consequence of his Order; and, if so, whether he will cancel the Order so that the full service may be restored.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Gaeltacht School Meals.
The answer to the first part of the Deputy's question is "No". As regards the second part of the question, I do not propose to make any alteration in my decision in this matter. Permits for the use of subsidised flour and bread for school meals schemes were withdrawn as from 1st February, 1951, in conformity with the policy of confining the use of subsidised flour to meeting the requirements of the domestic ration. School meals schemes are already directly subsidised by the State to a substantial degree and I feel sure that Galway County Council will not feel that it is an undue hardship on the ratepayers of the county to make the necessary provision of 1d. in the £ on the county rate to maintain the present school meals service for the school children of the area.
Did I understand the Minister to say that the Department of Social Welfare did not inform the Galway County Council that they might not increase their allocation for the service?
Yes.
Will the Minister accept my word for it that it is contained in the minutes of the last meeting of the Galway County Council?
I do not know what is in the minutes of the Galway County Council.
I do.
What I am concerned about is that the Galway County Council was not told by the Minister for Social Welfare that which the Deputy has been led to believe it was told.
Does the Minister deny that the expenditure of the Galway County Council is not permitted to be increased?
If the Deputy is trying to weave a web in which he thinks I am going to stick my foot he will be disappointed. What I deny is what is in the written question of the Deputy. Should the Deputy require better information I shall be happy to supply it, if he puts down another question.
The position with regard to the school meals is £2,000 worse than it was.