asked the Minister for Local Government and Public Health if he is aware (1) that the chief medical officer of health of the City of Dublin has expressed the opinion that a hot mid-day meal is more beneficial and appetising for growing children attending schools where the School Meals Act is in operation and where milk and buns are now being served; (2) that the School Meals Committee at their meeting on 7th November, 1941, adopted the report of the School Meals Inspection Committee to the effect that a hot meal should be substituted for the present meal of milk and buns; and (3) that the amount at present allowed to be expended per meal is not sufficient to cover the cost of a hot meal; and if he will say whether he is prepared to take steps —if necessary by introducing amending legislation—to implement the proposed scheme.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - School Meals.
I would refer the Deputy to the communication which I addressed to him in regard to this matter on the 23rd December last. On the 19th ultimo the Corporation of Dublin passed a resolution requesting sanction to divert from their original purpose the municipal cooking centres which have been installed as a precautionary measure to safeguard the citizens against the consequences of a general breakdown in their normal domestic cooking arrangements. On the 28th ultimo they were notified that the present conditions are not such as to justify the opening of the municipal cooking centres, and that the Minister is therefore not prepared to accede to the terms of the resolution.
With regard to the particular question as to the suitability of the existing school meals provided for necessitous children, this matter has naturally been the subject of the most careful consideration in my Department, and it has been pointed out to the corporation that repeated scientific experiments have clearly demonstrated that milk is the most valuable food available for the physical development of the growing child since it contains the greatest assortment of nutritive substances for its healthy growth. The alternative type of school meal proposed to be supplied by the corporation would be of doubtful benefit compared with the existing meal.
Mr. Byrne
Is not that definitely a refusal of the Minister's Department to sanction hot meals for school children in the City of Dublin?
I have nothing to add to what I have said.
Mr. Byrne
That is the answer, is it not?
Arising out of the Minister's reply——
Question 21, Deputy Keating.