asked the Minister for Social Welfare the existing arrangements for the provision of school meals in national schools; the type of food provided; the number of children in receipt of such food; and the annual cost of the provision of such food.
Written Answers. - School Meals.
902.
Under the Social Welfare (Consolidation) Act, 1981, sections 273 to 278, the county borough councils, urban district councils and town commissioners are empowered to make arrangements for the provision of meals for children attending national schools in their districts. My Department recoup the local authorities to the extent of 50 per cent of the cost of the food supplied. Under sections 280 to 288 of the same Act, the county councils of Cork, Donegal, Galway, Kerry and Mayo are empowered to operate similar schemes for the provision of meals for children attending national schools in Gaeltacht areas of those counties.
It is a matter for the local authorities and the schools in the areas concerned as to whether or not the service is made available and the type of meals which may be provided. The meals generally consist of milk or cocoa, with sandwiches, buns or bread and butter or jam. The number of children receiving the meals is at present estimated at 80,500 in the urban schemes and 10,000 in the Gaeltacht areas. The estimated cost of the food in the current year is £1.3 million.