Vol. 238 No. 9
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will state in view of the increasing length of time young people spend away from home during the normal schoolday what conditions he considers necessary to give these schoolgoers a hot meal in the middle of the day.
50.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare what regulations are in existence at the moment to cater for hot meals at midday throughout the school system; the number of young people being so provided for; the number not being so provided for; and if he will make a general policy statement on the matter.
With your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, I propose to answer Questions Nos. 49 and 50 together.
Existing legislation empowers county borough councils, urban district councils and town commissioners to provide meals for children attending national schools within their areas. Meals may also be provided for children attending national schools in prescribed Gaeltacht areas. The nature of the meals provided is a matter for the local authorities who are recouped half the cost of the meals.
Hot cooked meals are provided under the school meals scheme in 12 schools for about 1,070 pupils. Information is not available in my Department as to the total number of young people attending school who are or are not receiving hot meals at midday.
Any proposals from a local authority for the provision or extension of hot meals in its area under the school meals scheme will receive due consideration.
Can the Minister foresee the day when all schoolchildren —particularly primary schoolchildren —will be provided with hot meals?
Surely the answer here is that—probably in co-operation with the Minister for Education—a directive would be issued asking the schools to instal equipment to provide a hot meal? This is the only answer to the problem. Could the Minister foresee that day coming?
I hope to live to see it.
Maybe it is a question for the Minister for Education.
