Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 16 Dec 1998

Vol. 498 No. 5

Written Answers. - Social Assistance Butter Scheme.

Jim O'Keeffe

Question:

61 Mr. J. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if his attention has been drawn to the serious difficulties for persons whose means are so low as to qualify them for butter vouchers but who are under medical direction to use non-butter spreads only; if he will amend the regulations to enable vouchers to be used accordingly in this situation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24470/98]

Minister for Agriculture and Food (Mr. Walsh)

The social assistance butter scheme is fully funded by the EU and operates only in Ireland. The purpose of this scheme is to dispose of dairy products from the EU internal market. The regulation governing the scheme stipulates that butter vouchers may only be exchanged for butter with a minimum dairy fat content of 80 per cent. The scheme does not cover non-dairy products.