asked the Minister for Education whether, having regard to the need for encouraging the consumption of milk, he will arrange to provide milk free of charge as a midday meal for school children.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Free Milk for School Children.
The administration of the Acts relating to school meals does not fall within my functions as Minister for Education. The Education (Provision of Meals) (Ireland) Acts, 1914 to 1930, and the School Meals (Gaeltacht) Act, 1930, authorise local authorities to provide school meals for children attending schools, and, in the case of necessitous children, the cost may be met from the rates, with the consent of the Minister for Local Government and Public Health. Such school meals are provided at present by the authorities of 42 urban districts, including the four county boroughs, and by the Boards of Health of the Cork, Donegal, Galway, Kerry and Mayo County Health Districts for the portions of these districts scheduled under the School Meals (Gaeltacht) Act, 1930.
I am advised that milk is supplied in school meals in about 85 per cent. of the urban schemes, and is also used largely in the meals provided in the Gaeltacht districts. Half of the cost of the food provided in these school meals is met by a State Grant (the School Meals Grant). In addition, the Government have provided a grant of £100,000 for the provision of free milk for necessitous children under five years of age, and approved schemes for its distribution are in operation in 62 urban districts and in 27 county health districts.
The Deputy will realise that the State has already incurred considerable liabilities in connection with schemes which tend to encourage the consump tion of milk, and in the circumstances I see no reason for taking any further measures in the matter.