asked the Minister for Local Government and Public Health if he is aware that the allocation of 25,000 pairs of boots to Dublin, under the Free and Contributory Footwear Scheme, has been exhausted; that 18,000 necessitous applicants in receipt of unemployment benefits, Widows' and Orphans' Pensions and on temporary relief work of a few days a week have not received the benefit of the scheme, and if, to prevent hardships and a drop in school attendance, he will now make a further allocation of footwear in Dublin.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Allocation of Free Footwear.
On the 31st August, 1945, each public assistance authority was informed that a further release of vouchers would be made in the month of December which would probably be equal in extent to that made available in September last. The number of vouchers authorised for release in the Dublin area in September was 22,100. Vouchers for the promised additional supply will be shortly made available and should be sufficient to meet outstanding applications.
Will the Parliamentary Secretary make available sufficient to meet the 18,000 applications now in hands from persons who are awaiting boots under this scheme—either contributory or free?
I have already informed the Deputy, but apparently he was not listening to me, that 22,100 vouchers were issued in September and that a corresponding number of vouchers will be issued in December, that is this month; 22,000 is more than 18,000.
The Parliamentary Secretary is aware, according to the question, that 22,000 have been allotted. The 22,000 have been taken up and another 18,000 are required. Will he give them to the other 18,000 people who require them?
He has given 22,000.
And these 22,000 have been taken up. I am glad to see the Parliamentary Secretary has a new defender—another dictator.
He has given too much.