asked the Minister for Local Government and Public Health if he will state if the scheme to provide footwear at reduced rates and in some cases free of cost to necessitous persons will be extended so as to include persons in receipt of widows' and orphans' pensions and those with low incomes.

The scheme in force relates to the provision of children's footwear. Persons of the classes mentioned in the question with dependent children, who make application for children's footwear at reduced rates, are eligible for consideration under the scheme.