asked the Minister for Health whether instructions have been issued to home assistance officers in County Kerry to issue milk vouchers to persons in receipt of home assistance and unemployment assistance only; and, if so, if he will now state the reasons for the instructions, and indicate the classes of persons entitled to free milk vouchers under the Health Acts.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Issue of Milk Vouchers in Kerry.
I should like to make it clear that the provisions of the Health Act, 1953, in regard to the supply of free milk by local authorities are permissive and not mandatory. The groups which may be supplied, where local authorities decide to provide this service, are expectant and nursing mothers in the lower income group and children under five years of age whose parents are unable to provide them with an adequate supply of milk.
I understand that the Kerry County Council, as a consequence of the limited financial provision made by them for this service in the present year, have decided to limit free supplies of milk for children to three groups: (a) those whose parents are in receipt of home assistance, unemployment assistance or benefit, disability benefit or disablement allowance; (b) those who are members of large families, and (c) other cases where there are exceptional circumstances.
In the case of expectant and nursing mothers I am informed that milk supplies are being made available as heretofore.