Vol. 407 No. 3
26 Mrs. Owen asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if he will request the Department of Social Welfare to allow those on disability benefit to avail of the free meat scheme, having regard to the fact that many are in receipt of disability benefit over a prolonged period.
61 Mr. Connaughton asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if his attention has been drawn to (a) the discriminatory aspect of the current free beef scheme, (b) the fact that deserted wives, unmarried mothers and widows in receipt of social welfare are excluded from benefit as are small farmers, (c) the fact that despite the best efforts of the St. Vincent de Paul Society to organise its distribution, there are quite large geographical areas not covered by St. Vincent de Paul centres and (d) the fact that these areas are to all intents and purposes excluded from the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
127 Mr. J. Mitchell asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the reason deserted wives are not considered for free beef; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 26, 61 and 127 together.
The financial allocation to cover the cost of the free food scheme in each member state is decided on by the EC. The quantity of beef available, therefore, is determined by this allocation. As the quantity of beef available is limited it is necessary, in consultation with the Department of Social Welfare, to identify those beneficiaries who are considered to be in the greatest financial need. If this were not done, the quantity provided for each beneficiary would be insignificant.
The scheme for 1990 was therefore restricted to recipients of long-term unemployment assistance; recipients of the pre-retirement allowance; recipients of long-term supplementary welfare allowance and FÁS trainees who were in receipt of long-term unemployment assistance immediately prior to commencing their FÁS courses.
The distribution to the people who fall into those categories excludes social welfare beneficiaries in other categories. This is inevitable given the limited quantities allowed under the Community regulations at present, but I am seeking to have the quantities increased for the future.
