Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 4 Mar 1992

Vol. 416 No. 7

Written Answers. - Intervention Beef.

Patrick McCartan

Question:

16 Mr. McCartan asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if, in regard to the proposed distribution of intervention beef to low-income families, he will outline whether tenders have yet been sought for the canning and processing of intervention beef; if a date has yet been fixed for the distribution; if he will outline the consultations which have been held with such organisations as the Combat Poverty Agency or the St. Vincent de Paul, regarding the proposal to can the meat; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Minister for Agriculture and Food (Mr. Walsh)

With regard to the proposed distribution of intervention beef to low-income families, I am glad to state that tenders were issued and adjudicated on and canning is at present taking place. Distribution of the canned product is planned to commence 23 March 1992. This is a new departure to see if it is more appropriate to distribute the beef after processing rather than in the frozen state as has been done in the past. This method is now adopted in most participating member states to overcome distribution difficulties.

Before proceeding with the processing and canning operation, my Department was in consultation with the Department of Social Welfare and the Society of St. Vincent de Paul who as in previous years have agreed to undertake the onerous task of distributing the beef. Since it is not possible to cover all social welfare recipients the decision has been made to restrict the scheme to the same categories to which it applied in the past.