asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reasons for the discontinuance of the butter voucher scheme; and if it is to be recommenced at a later stage.

18.

asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason for the discontinuance of issue of butter vouchers; and if the scheme will be implemented at a later date.

With the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 17 and 18 together.

The EEC social assistance butter scheme operated under authorisation of the Council of Ministers and this authorisation expired on the 31st January, 1976. Whether the scheme will be continued has yet to be decided by the Council of Ministers.

Would the Parliamentary Secretary ask the Minister to press the EEC to have this scheme continued? The free butter voucher scheme is of great help to many people.

I agree entirely with the Deputy. At recent discussions in the Council of Ministers only Germany and Ireland pressed to have the scheme renewed this year.

Could the Parliamentary Secretary tell us what the cost of the scheme would have been to the Community in the past year?

That is a separate question.

The reason for its discontinuance is the cost presumably. I want to know what it cost to keep it in Ireland for the last available year.

I am afraid I have not got that figure.

Before the Minister could make a strong case he would require to have that figure.

I am sure the Minister has the figure.