asked the Minister for Agriculture if he is satisfied that the EEC school milk scheme is being fully availed of; if not, if he intends to improve the implementation of the scheme; the present consumption in schools; and its percentage of the projected total.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - EEC School Milk Scheme.
4.
This is a voluntary scheme and schools cannot be compelled to use it. Increased participation depends largely on the efforts of dairies to induce schools to take part and in this connection the National Dairy Council is active in promoting the scheme.
In 1983 up to mid-June subsidy was paid on 1.37 million gallons of milk supplied to schools. This represents over 40 per cent of the potential market.
Will the Minister advise his officials that teachers can play a vital role in increasing the sale of dairy products through the schools? The fact that the Minister states that only 40 per cent of the potential sales is being sold at the moment invites a criticism of the Department. The Minister says that it is not his Department's function, but I understand that his Department would have some part to play in this.
The National Dairy Council are the people who are promoting the scheme. As I say, it is a voluntary scheme, but certainly 40 per cent is very low, considering the benefits which accrue from it. It is purely up to the schools and the teachers to avail of this benefit.
Is the Minister aware of a report by the public analyst in Galway in relation to the milk which was supplied in certain areas?
That appears to be another question. That was asked about here and discussed at length.
The report states that 1.35 per cent was affected by water. If the Minister's Department are paying for the milk, I would advise him to investigate the circumstances under which 1.35 per cent of the milk was mixed——
Deputy, that is obviously a separate question which was thrashed out at considerable length here the other day. Deputy Noonan.
It is most unlike Terry to miss an opportunity like that.
No familiarity, please.
I might point out that the Deputy's constituency colleague, Deputy Naughten, raised this matter last week.
Did the Minister answer him in a satisfactory manner?
In some detail.
A Deputy
He must have, because it was in the papers.
(Limerick West): I think that the Deputy is provoking an argument.
That is not very hard to do.
(Limerick West): Could I ask the Minister the amount of the subsidy on the milk supplies, if he has that information in his brief?
The amount of the subsidy is not mentioned. I think it is in the region of 15p per pint.
Is the Minister saying that 40 per cent of schoolchildren are availing of this scheme?
Yes, that was the answer I gave.
Is the Minister aware of the large number of schoolchildren, particularly in the Dublin area, who are anxious to avail of this scheme but because of the lack of enthusiasm on the part of the particular school they are not availing of it? Could I further ask if the Minister is aware that there are many young children in these schools who are suffering from embarrassment because of this? Will he examine the position urgently because I suspect that a large number of Dublin children want to avail of the scheme but because perhaps they are in a minority in the school they are not able to?
I certainly agree with the Deputy that there is a lack of enthusiasm in certain schools to avail of the scheme. This is depriving children of this subsidised milk. I will get my Department to take up the matter with the schools and, in particular, get the National Dairy Council to do so.
Would the Minister consider doing that on an individual basis?
Yes. That is the only way I find that will get a scheme to operate.
In the interest of Deputies who have questions put down which will come up later on, we should pass on.
Just one point. The Minister is saying that only 40 per cent of the schools avail of this scheme, which is sad. Would he appeal to the Ministers for Education and Health to help in this matter? It is a matter of education and advice as to the value of milk to young children.
That seems to be a reasonable request and I certainly will consider it.
As this whole scheme appears not to be properly advertised —and the fact that only 40 per cent avail of it indicates that—the Minister should be serious about trying to increase the sale of dairy products here at a time when the EEC are telling farmers to cut back.
A question please, Deputy.
I understand that many parents, children and teachers are not aware of the variety of products which they can get under this scheme. It is not just applicable to milk alone but to yogurt and to cheese. Is the Minister aware of this?
I will take up the point that has been mentioned by Deputy Hilliard, Deputy Byrne and the other Deputies, to see that not just my own Department but the National Dairy Council and the Department of Education will become involved.
A final supplementary.
No, Deputy. I call Deputy Calleary and the Deputies should, in their own interest, let us pass to the other questions. Look at the time. Only four questions have been reached.
I asked the question in the first instance.
It is not fair to the Deputies who also have questions tabled.
But I put the question down.
Is the Minister aware that perhaps one of the reasons for the figure being as low as 40 per cent is that many rural schools, particularly the smaller ones, consider the distribution to be excessive. That is the reason, certainly in some of the western counties, why this scheme is not in operation.
That is a separate question. However, I can tell Deputy Calleary that there are obviously many deficiencies in the operation of the scheme. They will have to be re-examined by a number of agencies and Departments.
Would the Minister not make inquiries about flavoured milk being made available under this scheme, as children have a preference for flavoured milk?
Milk shakes?
Anything.
Certainly, yes.
Would the Minister make some of his staff available to visit some schools to talk to the teachers, stressing the importance of educating the children to drink milk and telling them how important it is for the good of their health?
This has been a very interesting Second Stage debate. I assure the Deputies that I will get my Department, the Department of Education and the National Dairy Council together to see if they can improve the working of the scheme.
Question No. 5, Deputy Gallagher.
But I put down the question.
I am moving on to Question No. 5. I am sorry.
A Cheann Comhairle——
I am sorry, Deputy.
But please, a Cheann Comhairle.
I am passing to Question No. 5.