Jim Mitchell
Question:267 Mr. J. Mitchell asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if he will give details of the categories of people receiving free beef; and if he will outline the way in which this need is assessed.
Written Answers. - Free Beef Scheme.
The categories of people who received the free beef were: recipients of long term unemployment assistance (excluding smallholders), recipients of 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 the course.
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 consults the Department of Social Welfare before the categories of beneficiaries are decided upon. I regret that the financial constraints do not allow the scheme to be extended.