Vol. 385 No. 2
asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if he will ensure that the EC meat allocation is given to women in receipt of the single women's allowance; and, in particular, to a person (details supplied) in Dublin 12 since this category of recipient seems to have been overlooked in the scheme.
113.
asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if a person (details supplied) in Dublin 8 who has been in receipt of invalidity pension for 11 years will receive free beef vouchers this year; the changes in the free beef scheme this year; the categories who will not qualify this year who qualified in the past; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 101 and 113 together.
Owing to EC budgetary difficulties, this year's allocation to Ireland under the Community's "Free Food" Scheme was less than half of the amount which was granted for 1987. This includes an extra 1.338 million ecu (over £1.0 million) which I have recently succeeded in obtaining for the scheme.
By contrast, therefore, with the scheme which operated in 1987 it has been necessary to restrict eligibility for the current year's scheme to certain clearly defined categories of welfare recipients which were selected in consultation with the Department of Social Welfare. This was the only way in which it could be ensured that eligible beneficiaries would obtain a meaningful allocation from the limited quantity available.
The present scheme, as approved by the EC Commission, is restricted to:
(1) homeless persons accommodated in hostels and shelters run by voluntary organisations
(2) certain social welfare recipients i.e.:
— recipients of long term unemployment assistance who qualify for the fuel allowance.
— recipients of long term supplementary welfare allowance.
— FÁS trainees who qualify for the fuel allowance.
For the reasons set out above, it would not be feasible to extend the existing coverage this year.
Coverage for 1989 will be reviewed when the allocation to Ireland for next year is known.
