asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he is aware of considerable discontent on the part of those in receipt of contributory and invalidity pensions on being excluded from the subsidised butter scheme; and if he will take steps to extend the scheme to include these categories.

The relevant EEC Council regulation specifically restricts the scope of this scheme to persons receiving social assistance. While I understand that dissatisfaction may exist among recipients of the various contributory pensions because of their exclusion from the scheme, I regret that I am not at present permitted to extend the scheme to persons in those categories.

Does the Minister's emphasis on the words "at present" mean that he is making representations in relation to the possibility of including them?

I should like to see the scheme extended.

Is there a possibility of it being done within the next few months for this allocation?

The only thing we can do is to keep pressing for improvement in the Community.

And the Minister is doing that?

Yes.