Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 2 Dec 1958

Vol. 171 No. 10

Written Answers. - Dublin Board of Assistance Dietary Scales.

Mr. Corish

asked the Minister for Health if he will state the cost at (a) current Dublin retail prices and (b) national retail prices per item, per head, per week, and the total cost, of each of the dietary scales relating to the Dublin Board of Assistance in respect of (i) children and (ii) adult inmates.

Mr. MacEntee

I have no figures for average Dublin retail prices or national retail prices for a date later than mid-August last. The information requested by the Deputy, based on mid-August figures, is as follows:—

	(a) At average Dublin Retail Prices	(b)At National Retail Prices
	Children	Adult inmates of St. Clare's Home and Brú Chaoimhín	Children	Adult inmates of St. Clare's Home and Brú Chaoimhín
	s.	d.	s.	d.	s.	d.	s.	d.
Bread	1	7	3	2	1	7	3	2
Milk	6	0¼	3	4¾	6	0¼	3	4¾
Butter	2	0¼	1	10¾	2	0¼	1	10¾
Tea		2¼		11¼		2¼		11¼
Sugar		2¾		2½		2¾		2½
Cocoa, etc.		5		11¾		5		11¾
Rice/Tapioca, etc.		3		0½		3½		0¾
Flake Meal or Oatmeal		3		6		3		6
Eggs	1	2		4¾	1	1		4¼
Fish		8¼		8¼		8¼		8¼
Potatoes	1	5¾	2	6	1	2½	2	0½
Peas	—		1¾	—		2
Onions		1½		1¼		1½		1¼
Total cost of items shown	14	5	14	11½	14	1¼	14	6

Figures in respect of vegetables other than potatoes, peas and onions, are not readily available. In regard to meat, the cost would depend on the cuts used which very from day to day. Further, much of the meat is bought in carcass form and consequently a retail price cannot readily be ascertained. It is estimated, however, that in the case of adults, if all meat of the dearer types and cuts were issued in any week the approximate cost at Dublin retail prices would be 4s. 9d. and at National retail prices 4s. 6d., and if all meat of the cheaper types and cuts were issued the figures would be about 3s. 4d. The weekly costs would lie between these figures. The cost in the case of children would lie approximately within the same range.