asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the category of persons who qualified for free beef; and in particular, the reason a person (details supplied) in County Kerry who is an old age pensioner living alone did not qualify for same.
Written Answers. - Free Food Scheme.
86.
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.