Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)

I am anxious the Minister makes his announcement quickly and informs us of the guidelines for those on special diets. While I welcome the report, I wish to point out what is typical of Dublin thinking with regard to reports in general.

It is well to advise people to shop at major retail food outlets for value for money. That is typical of Dublin thinking. While there are major food retail outlets in every corner of Dublin city, people in Belmullet, Achill, Ballinrobe or Kiltimagh, particularly those on low incomes, do not have the same access to these outlets or no public transport exists.

The Minister must introduce a scheme to tackle this. The cut in the diet supplement was one of the savage 16 cuts to save some €1 million. Last summer, social welfare officers, whether through a misunderstanding or an instruction, began cutting the diet supplement. I tabled a question on the matter and was glad the Minister and the Department rectified it quickly. The people in question need the assistance of community welfare officers as the specialised foods they require are costly and difficult to locate. I hope the Minister will introduce a new scheme as quickly as possible.

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