asked the Minister for Education whether he will consider introducing a scheme in the congested area of West Cork whereby hot meals will be available free to all children attending the national school.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Provision of School Meals.
Under the Schools Meals (Gaeltacht) Act, 1930, certain county councils (including Cork County Council) are empowered to provide meals for children attending schools situated in rural areas in the Gaeltacht scheduled in that Act. Fifty per cent. of the cost is recouped to the councils from State funds.
I have no powers or functions under the school meals Acts in this matter, which is one for the local authority in the first instance.
As the Minister is aware this would not be a Fíor-Gaeltacht area, but I suggest it has particular claims by nature of its isolation and its peculiar terrain. I wonder would the Minister consider the possibility of investigating the situation, particularly in relation to the Beara Peninsula?
I think that, in this case, the matter is one for the local authority to initiate itself. I also believe, though I am not quite familiar with the matter at the moment, that it is one for the Minister for Social Welfare.