Vol. 447 No. 1
108 Mr. N. Ahern asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will change the regulations in relation to the granting of butter vouchers to allow them be given to those on contributory social welfare payments without other means in view of the fact that some people on contributory payments are almost being penalised compared to those on noncontributory allowances. [3226/94]
The scheme for the issue of butter vouchers is administered by the Department of Agriculture which has responsibility for deciding the conditions of entitlement and for the funding of the scheme. The role of this Department is confined to the task of issuing the vouchers in accordance with whatever conditions are laid down and maintaining the appropriate records.
Under the current conditions of the scheme, the vouchers are available only to people who are in receipt of certain social welfare type assistance payments and the question whether any change in the position is desirable or is planned is primarily a matter for the Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry.
