The reply given by the Minister to me last Wednesday raises a very grave matter which has an effect on local authorities right through the country. This is a deliberate move on the part of the Government of this country to shift the burden from the Budget to the local ratepayers. Since 1941 the late Government gave £15,000 per year as a subsidy on food vouchers. One could expect, at least, that timely notice would be given of the change, but it was not made until the rate was struck, until the local authority—the county councils and the boards of public assistance—had their rates struck for the year. We got three days notice. We were told on the 24th that the food voucher subsidies would cease on the 27th.
The Minister stated in his reply to me that he had no intention of changing his decision on that matter and that this burden should go on to the ratepayers. It will mean that each local authority will have a definite deficit on their Budget for this year, a deficit for the amount which the Minister has stated. For South Cork Board of Assistance the deficit will be around £9,000. The Minister can speak in terms of three halfpence rates, but in Cork county the rates next year will be increased by 5d. in the £ owing to that manoeuvre of his and that 5d. will be borne by the very people that Deputy Connolly was so eloquent about. Those increases in rates are being passed on to those people whom Deputy Connolly tells us are going to be so well off.