asked the Minister for Social Welfare if she is aware that as a result of the local electoral boundary changes which resulted in some parts of south Dublin being moved from Dublin Corporation to Dublin County Council control, two schools (details supplied) in the Rathfarnham area, have had school meals withdrawn after many years; and if her Department will introduce the necessary amending legislation to ensure that school meals are provided as in the past for both of these schools.
Written Answers. - School Meals.
318.
The school meals scheme in Dublin city is administered by Dublin Corporation under legislation which enables, but does not oblige, urban local authorities to provide school meals in their functional area.
On the alteration of the city boundary in 1985 Regulations were made extending the school meals legislation until 1 August 1986 to the areas excluded from the city and included in the county council area. This provision enabled Dublin Corporation to continue to provide meals in schools in the excluded areas, including the schools referred to in the question, and the corporation continued to do so until the end of the 1985-86 school year.
It was then decided to continue this provision indefinitely and regulations were made accordingly on 28 July 1986. Despite the enabling legislative arrangements Dublin Corporation decided not to continue providing meals on the existing basis in the two schools in question as well as three other schools in the excluded areas. There is no legislative provision under which meals can be provided in these schools other than by the corporation on the existing basis. Representations were made to the corporation by the Department but the Minister is disappointed that the corporation so far has declined to continue the provision of meals on the existing basis for the schools in question. The Department will be in further contact with the corporation in the matter.