Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 7 Apr 1992

Vol. 418 No. 4

Written Answers. - EC Free Meat Scheme.

Pat Rabbitte

Question:

190 Mr. Rabbitte asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the reason the EC free meat scheme is restricted to those on long term unemployment assistance, pre-retirement allowance and supplementary welfare allowance and not to other social welfare recipients who are receiving similar levels of payment, such as widows and widowers pensioners; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Ned O'Keeffe

Question:

209 Mr. E. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if he will outline the type and source of the free beef currently being distributed to long term social welfare recipients.

Minister for Agriculture and Food (Mr. Walsh)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 190 and 209 together.

The financial allocation for the free beef scheme is determined by the EC. The quantity of beef available for distribution is therefore limited by this allocation. Every effort is made to give a reasonable quantity of beef to the largest number of recipients who are considered to be in the greatest need. My Department consult the Department of Social Welfare before the specific beneficiaries are identified. I regret that the financial constraints do not allow the scheme to be extended.

The canned beef being distributed is prime beef which was sourced from Irish intervention stocks.