asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will state the reasons why the issue of vouchers for the supply of free boots and shoes to the Kerry County Council for necessitous children has been so long delayed; further whether he is aware that many poor children are badly in need of boots and shoes in this severe weather; that these vouchers were issued in previous years to Kerry County Council before September and were issued to the children requiring them by the end of that month; and, if so, whether he will now ensure that these vouchers are made available without further delay.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Free Footwear Vouchers.
The necessary authorisation and instructions in relation to the 1951-52 footwear scheme were issued to the Kerry County Council on the 23rd October, 1951. This was a month later than usual, due to a late demand by footwear manufacturers for a revision of prices of official footwear. A preliminary issue of vouchers was authorised on the 14th August, 1951, to avail of existing stocks of this footwear and the local authority is arranging for the issue of further vouchers as early as possible.