asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce whether he is aware that many schools in the Kerry Gaeltacht are not now being provided with butter under the school meal scheme, due to the increased price of butter, and whether, having regard to the nutritional value for children of this food, he will take steps to ensure that butter will be supplied for the purpose at the subsidised price.

I am not aware that butter is not being provided at school meals in the Kerry Gaeltacht.

Since butter at the unsubsidised price was put on the market, butter at the subsidised price is released only for the following purposes: (a) to meet the basic ration of half pound per week allowed to every head of the population; (b) to provide the small additional allowances granted to persons suffering from certain diseases.

No exceptions can be made, and accordingly, subsidised butter cannot be made available to local authorities for school meals.

May I ask the Parliamentary Secretary is he aware that a change has been made in the allocation of butter within the last 12 months? Is he aware of any change having been made?

The ration is the same as it was.

I had a question down last week on this very same question and the Parliamentary Secretary will not answer simply and plainly a matter arising out of his reply. Is it not a fact that different circumstances existed until recently with regard to butter? Is it not a fact that there has been a change?

I gave the Deputy a most comprehensive reply last week.

It was full of nothingness.