asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will give a decision on the request made by Dublin Corporation's school meals committee for a pilot scheme to provide hot meals in two disadvantaged areas of Dublin (details supplied) as the request was submitted to his Department over one year ago following investigations and discussions with the INTO who made available evidence that children in disadvantaged areas are going to school without adequate meals and particularly in view of the very low cost of the proposed scheme.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - School Meals.
12.
The proposals made by Dublin Corporation's school meals committee would involve considerable additional expenditure including additional expenditure on equipment and staffing costs. The legislation dealing with the existing school meals scheme enables my Department to pay up to half the cost of food supplied under the scheme. There is no provision for providing equipment or meeting staffing costs.
The proposals of the school meals committee would constitute a significant departure from the scheme at present in operation and there are no funds available to my Department to meet the extra cost involved.
Has the Minister itemised the costs that would be involved in this pilot scheme?
I do not have that information readily available. I have information for 1981 in relation to an examination of the scheme in St. Kevin's school and St. Laurence O'Toole school. For example, the cost of equipment for schools availing of the scheme could run to £2.27 million. The heating of meals would need infra-red ovens requiring a three-phase electricity supply. The ESB charge sums up to £1,000 for a transformer for a small national school. Other equipment such as ovens, tables and cutlery could cost up to £5,000. The cost of supplying full meals to children at present receiving school meals would be about £10 million as against the present cost of £1.2 million.
Are those figures on a national basis?
Yes.
Will the Minister state the total cost?
About 99,000 children receive school meals at present——
My question relates to two schools in specific disadvantaged areas in Dublin. Dublin Corporation have requested a pilot scheme in the two schools. Will the Minister indicate the cost strictly for that pilot scheme in the two schools, not on a national basis?
The question asked the Minister if he would give a decision on a request made to the Department. That appears to be a simple question requiring a simple answer and not a long discussion about matters throughout the country.
I referred in my question to the very low cost involved. I am simply asking the Minister to tell us the cost. I understand from Dublin Corporation it is minimal in the case of these two schools. One of the schools has the equipment referred to by the Minister. I do not think he is being open and honest with the information requested. I know that is not the business of the Ceann Comhairle but I am asking the Minister if he can give details which relate to the specific question. I ask, what would be the cost in the two schools referred to, details of which have been supplied to the Minister?
In 1981 the cost for each of the two schools I mentioned — St. Kevin's and St. Laurence O'Toole — was £6,627 and £28,779. My own view is that if Dublin Corporation wish to operate a pilot scheme in the two schools it could be argued that they could operate if from their own resources and see what would be the out-turn. If one of the schools has equipment already, why should it not operate a pilot scheme with local voluntary assistance? Surely people are not bereft of that kind of initiative?
It seems extraordinary that the Minister is saying his Department do not have the money but that the corporation would have the money. Is it his decision not to make such a paltry sum available to the corporation? It is the responsibility of his Department to make finance available for school meals.
It is important for the Deputy to appreciate that there are 43 cities and towns currently in the scheme. What would apply to two particular schools in Dublin if sanctioned by my Department would have to apply on a general basis and the cost would be £10 million.