‘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.