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Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 8 Apr 1975

Vol. 279 No. 7

Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Subsidised Beef Scheme.

27.

asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will reconsider his decision not to make beef available at a reduced rate to recipients of social welfare benefits, as provided for in EEC regulations.

The EEC scheme for the sale in member states of subsidised beef to social assistance recipients covered the period from the 21st July, 1974, to 6th April, 1975. No decision was taken by the Government to participate in the scheme.

Would the Parliamentary Secretary ask the Government to consider this?

The scheme terminated on 6th April this year and, therefore, is not in operation at the moment.

Would the Government seriously consider giving cheap beef to people in the lower income group? Does the Parliamentary Secretary not consider that the Government should try to get this view across to the other members of the EEC?

I am sure any further schemes to be introduced along these lines will be given very careful consideration by the Government.

Have the Government made representations to the EEC for a continuance of this scheme?

As the Deputy is aware, the scheme is not under the jurisdiction of the Department of Social Welfare; it is an EEC scheme administered by the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries. My Department's only function is identifying people who would qualify as recipients.

I asked my supplementary question because I had that information. I will put again the supplementary question which the Parliamentary Secretary did not answer. Have the Government made representations to the EEC for the continuance of this scheme?

That is a policy matter for another Minister.

I have already said that.

Answer "yes" or "no".

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