asked the Minister for Agriculture if he will list the hospitals, institutions and other categories which are eligible to purchase subsidised butter from intervention; and the number which have benefited from the scheme in the past 12 months.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Subsidised Butter.
26.
EEC Regulation No. 1717/72 provides for the sale of intervention butter at a reduced price to non profit making organisations and institutions. As there was no butter in intervention storage in Ireland up to October last year such a scheme has not hitherto been operated here. A detailed scheme to provide for such reduced priced sales in Ireland has now been drawn up and I would hope to have it introduced shortly. The quantity of butter available for sale under the scheme is, however, quite limited.
The scheme will extend to hospitals, residential homes and other such organisations, as well as welfare groups, both in the private and public sectors, which can show that they are not run for a profit and that the supply of meals or the provision for meals is an integral part of their service. Pending experience of the operation of the scheme I am not in a position to list the organisations likely to benefit from it.
The Minister is saying that the poorer sections in the community, the social welfare recipients, cannot avail of this cheap butter.
We have not got a surplus.
Why do we sell it to the Russians for half nothing?
If the Deputy puts down a question I will answer him.
There is nothing in the question about Russia.
The Chair has trouble enough during Question Time——
I have asked a relevant question.
I have answered the question put down.
The Minister supports the sale of butter to the Russians for half nothing.