asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he proposes in the near future to introduce proposals for legislation to amend the School Meals (Gaeltacht) Act, 1930, so that the pupils of all Gaeltacht schools will get the benefit of school meals.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - School Meals (Gaeltacht) Act.
I am not prepared, at present, to introduce legislation for the purpose of extending the scope of the School Meals (Gaeltacht) Acts, 1930 and 1933, to other Gaeltacht areas.
Would the Minister not agree that it is unfair that one set of Fíor-Ghaeltacht schools should have the benefit of free meals while a number of other Fíor-Ghaeltacht schools have not got the same facilities and that remedial measures should be taken to correct that situation?
I am not very clear why the distinction was made in the beginning. However, I will have the matter investigated.
Is the Minister not aware that the distinction wasmade because in the School Meals Act of 1930 the areas were scheduled and that a change has taken place since then so that a re-scheduling of areas should take place now which would correct the situation?
What I mean is that I do not know on what basis the schedule was arranged.
That basis does not exist now.