‘Important’ free cheese scheme to go ahead despite public outrage

CHARITIES will be invited to collect boxes of cheese for distribution to those in need from November 15.

The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food is to drive on with its annual distribution of intervention cheese stocks to disadvantaged groups, despite the lampooning that followed the scheme’s launch last week.

Minister Brendan Smith mentioned the cheese stocks during a radio interview on RTÉ’s Morning Ireland. Much of the ensuing commentary has pitted the 53 tonnes of free white cheddar against the €6 billion in cuts due in the forthcoming budget.

A spokesman for Mr Smith said he made no attempt to relate the two issues. He said the scheme’s details were scheduled for release last week, as they had been since 1987.

He did not suggest the EU-funded scheme was a novel solution to the economic crisis.

“The issuing of the department press release coincided with the commencement of the delivery of these Irish dairy products to the different collection centres,” the spokesman said yesterday.

The minister said that the scheme, though important, was a small initiative. The department has received a large volume of messages expressing outrage at the way that the long-running and important free cheese scheme has been belittled.

“The release was issued to ensure that the scheme is fully utilised before the end of the year,” said the spokesman.

Charities can visit: Orchard Warehousing, Cobh Cross, Co Cork; QK Coldstore, Kilmacthomas, Co Waterford; Colso Enterprises, Togher, Cork; Trailercare Holdings, Clondalkin, Dublin; Lyonara Cold Store, Portlaoise, Co Laois.

- For application forms, contact Anne Dobbs, Intervention Operations, Johnstown Castle, Wexford. Tel: [phone]; email: [e-mail]