asked the Minister for Education if he will make a statement on the provision of free milk in schools, in the light of the recent EEC statement.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Free Milk in Schools.
34.
The implications of the EEC Commission Regulation No. 1598/77 in regard to the sale of milk and certain milk products at reduced prices to school children has yet to be considered fully by all the Departments involved—and that is two more as well as mine—before a decision can be reached. As the Deputy is aware, I have no function in relation to the school meals service.
I wished to ask a Supplementary Question on No. 33 and I was told to resume my seat.
The Deputy cannot go back to the previous question. I am asking for his co-operation.
I will be more vocal in future because there is no point in sitting back waiting to be called.
We are dealing with Question No. 34.
Is the Minister aware that money is available for the provision of school milk from the EEC, that 50 per cent of the cost will be provided by the Community with only 25 per cent required to be provided by the Irish Exchequer? Is the Minister further aware that Germany, Holland, the United Kingdom, Denmark and France have introduced such schemes and are availing of the aid, and that if Ireland continues to fail to avail of it those other countries will take up the moneys Ireland could otherwise have? Can the Minister explain why there has been such an enormous delay in coming to a decision and making use of this aid?
As the Deputy well knows, my Department have no function in relation to a school meals service.
I am asking about milk.
If the Deputy spent a number of years as Parliamentary Secretary in the Department without finding that out he was asleep.
The question is about milk. The Minister accepted the question. He is the Minister who is answering it and he should answer it now. If the Minister felt this was a question for another Department he could have referred it to them.
The Minister makes his own decisions and will not be hectored or bullied by Deputy Bruton.
Why has this scheme not been implemented?
May I take it——
The remaining questions will appear on the Order Paper for the next sitting day.
——that the Minister is not going to interest himself in the provision of free milk, not only to schools in country areas where children have to travel quite a distance to school, but also in urban areas?
I have given notice that Question Time is over.
It is a shocking state of affairs that the Minister is washing his hands of something he could avail of and something which would be of help to people.
I have answered the question.
(Interruptions.)
European Elections (No. 2) Bill, resumed.
The Minister failed to do his job in this matter.
(Interruptions.)
I did not fail to do my job and I will not fail the children. The Deputy asked me, I told him there were other Departments involved, and I will live up to my obligations.
The Minister is washing his hands of his obligations on an important issue.
(Interruptions.)
Question Time is over.
No amount of shouting or bullying will stop me doing my job.
The Minister is washing his hands of an important issue.
The remaining questions will appear on next Tuesday's Order Paper.