asked the Minister for Agriculture the amount of money paid to date or set aside for each member state under the EEC scheme of aid for the provision of milk and milk products in schools; and if it is intended to seek an extension of aid under this scheme to all school children within the State.

Information on the amount of money paid or set aside by other member states under the EEC school milk scheme is not available. So far as this country is concerned the cost of the scheme, which is operated through the Department of Social Welfare, amounted to £158,600 in 1978. No change in the existing scheme is contemplated.

Would the Minister not agree that, in view of the fact that at the latest meeting of the Council of Ministers the rate of EEC aid to school milk was increased from 50 per cent to 100 per cent of the cost of the milk, it would now be appropriate for the Government to reconsider the introduction of this scheme for all children in the State as is the case in most other EEC countries?

The question will receive consideration at the appropriate time.

Would the Minister not agree that, if this scheme is to be operated, it should receive consideration before the beginning of the next school year, that is, during the coming summer? Will the Minister undertake to have the matter considered by the Government within the next few months?

It will be considered by the Department of Agriculture.

Would the Minister not agree that the Department of Social Welfare are also involved very closely in this matter and that he would need to consult with them also?

Any matter of this kind will be worked out between the Department of Social Welfare and the Department of Agriculture.

May I take it that the Minister would be in favour of this method of disposing of milk in a socially useful fashion?

I would be in favour of using FEOGA funds for any effective solution of the over-supply position within the Community in relation to milk.