asked the Minister for Finance the number of farthings in circulation; whether it is proposed to withdraw them from circulation; and, if so, when.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Farthings in Circulation.
19.
Mr. Ryan
As can be seen in the January, 1962, issue of the Quarterly Statistical Bulletin of the Central Bank the number of farthings in circulation was 5,608,299 at 31st December, 1961.
It is not proposed to withdraw farthings from circulation.
Mr. Ryan
Will the Minister explain how it is that shopkeepers in Dublin are unable to give a farthing change when housewives are paying the official price for the loaf of bread?
Surely that does not arise?
Is the Minister aware that the kids will now only get a sweet for a halfpenny. Formerly they got a sweet for a farthing.
Does it not arise out of the question that if a situation obtains in the city of Dublin, which undoubtedly does obtain, that if you buy a loaf of bread in a shop it frequently becomes necessary to pay a halfpenny instead of a farthing, owing to the scarcity of these coins? In view of that, would the Minister not consider making a supply of these coins available because the scarcity operates to make people of limited means pay a farthing more for the loaf than they would otherwise pay?
As far as the Central Bank are concerned, they have made the farthings available.
Then they should direct the attention of the commercial banks or the joint stock banks to the fact that these coins are available.
Is it not a fact that the Fine Gael farthing Deputy wants to have the farthing withdrawn?
I am afraid I must have missed the Minister for Finance on Question No. 18. Was the question called?
The question was called.
Then it was my fault.