asked the Minister for Social Welfare if it is proposed to continue the butter voucher scheme for social welfare beneficiaries under the EEC social assistance scheme.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Butter Voucher Scheme.
15.
The EEC social assistance butter scheme ended on 31st December, 1974, and the question of whether it will be continued and the form it will take has yet to be decided by the Council of Ministers.
Could the Parliamentary Secretary say whether or not butter vouchers have been made available since 1st January?
No. There is no authorisation from the EEC. As the Deputy is aware, it is primarily a matter for the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries and is administered by three Departments—Social Welfare, Health and the Department of Defence. However, the scheme originated in the EEC and unless a decision is made by the Council of Ministers there is no authorisation to continue it.
Could the Parliamentary Secretary state whether any pressure has been brought to bear by the Ministers concerned or by the Government to continue the scheme?
I understand the matter will be coming up before a Council of Ministers' meeting in the EEC, but it would not be possible for me to anticipate the outcome of that meeting.
Would the Parliamentary Secretary agree that, seeing that it was general knowledge that the scheme would terminate on 31st December, 1974, it is rather late in the day to have it coming before the EEC in the middle of January? Would he not agree it would have been a much more reasonable approach to this matter to put whatever pressure was necessary on the EEC prior to the termination of the scheme so that people would not be without their butter vouchers in the middle of January?
As the Deputy is aware, it was stated specifically in the House when the scheme was introduced that it was an EEC scheme over which this Government, on its own, had no control, and that it was not meant as a permanent feature. It was introduced because of a number of circumstances which existed at the time. This matter, I understand, will again be coming before the Council of Ministers, but it is not possible to give any further information pending the outcome of that meeting.