Vol. 408 No. 9
48 Mr. Ryan asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if, in the light of the EC subsidy on school milk of £1.40 per gallon, and the recent decision by a large supermarket chain to reduce the price of milk quite considerably, he will outline the reason families are still expected to pay for school milk; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
An EC subsidy of £1.38 per gallon is currently payable under the school milk scheme for milk consumed by school children and students, excluding third level students. The rate of aid, which is fixed at EC level, is a partial subsidy only and does not cover the full price of milk. Recent reductions in retail milk prices have not been sufficient to enable school milk to be made available free of charge.
