asked the Minister for Local Government and Public Health whether he is in a position to state when he proposes to introduce proposals for legislation empowering County Councils or County Boards of Health to inaugurate schemes for the supply of meals to school children in rural areas.
CEISTEANNA—QUESTIONS. ORAL ANSWERS. - MEALS FOR SCHOOL CHILDREN.
So far as the application of the provisions of the Education (Provision of Meals) (Ireland) Acts, 1914 to 1917, to rural areas generally is concerned, there is no considerable demand for this, and it is not proposed to introduce legislation on the subject. As regards school meals for the congested district counties referred to in the statement of Government policy on the report of the Gaeltacht Commission, the matter is still under discussion between the Department of Finance and the Department of Local Government.
Can the Minister say whether it is likely that that measure will be introduced in time to have a scheme for this coming winter or spring?
I am not in a position to say at the moment.