asked the Minister for Social Welfare in view of the increase in food prices generally if he will extend the increased butter voucher scheme for an indefinite period.

The value of butter vouchers was originally increased for the months of February, March and April as an interim measure pending the payment of the budget increases in certain social welfare payments.

Because of the difficulties encountered by a number of social welfare recipients as a result of the disruption in the postal services the increase in the value of the vouchers has been extended for the month of May. As the budget increases were designed to provide a real improvement in the living standards of social welfare recipients after taking account of any increase in the consumer price index, the intention is that the vouchers will revert to their original value when all recipients receive the benefit of these increases.

I should be obliged if the Minister would tell the House what the vouchers are, for what amount and to whom they are available.

The amount was increased to 45p as a special measure and are payable to non-contributory old age, blind and widows and orphans pensioners, deserted wives, unmarried mothers, prisoners' wives, and beneficiaries of single women's allowance, unemployment assistance, supplementary welfare allowance, disabled persons maintenance allowance and infectious disease maintenance allowance. An estimated total of 450 persons, including their dependants, are entitled to subsidised butter.

How many?

Four hundred and fifty thousand, including dependants.

The Minister started by stating 450 and it struck me that the Government were getting worse.

It is not a bad little amelioration and I am sure Deputies will accept that.

It would be better had they got the budget increase.