Vol. 516 No. 2
32 Ms Shortall asked the Minister for Education and Science further to Parliamentary Question No. 11 on 14 October 1999, the reason nutrition is not mentioned in the New Deal document; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7238/00]
Clearly, nutrition is vitally important to the health of children, and is of particular significance in areas designated as disadvantaged. Undernourished children or children in poor health are unlikely to be in a position to take full advantage of the education system. While my Department responds to educational disadvantage through various schemes, the Departments of Health and Children and Social, Community and Family Affairs have responsibility in areas relating to malnutrition.
The Department of Social, Community and Family Affairs engaged consultants to carry out a review of the school meals scheme and has forwarded a copy of the consultants' report to my Department. A working group comprising officials from both Departments together with representatives from the Department of Health and Children, the Department of the Environment and Local Government, the Department of Finance and Dublin Corporation has been established to review the existing scheme.
In carrying out the evaluation of the school meals scheme the working group will also consult with many other relevant bodies. It is anticipated that it will take seven to eight months to complete this process.
I have already indicated that tackling educational disadvantage will be a priority. Resources, both teaching and financial, will be available for this purpose. In developing the details of my proposals to tackle educational disadvantage I will bear in mind the issues raised by the Deputy and the recommendations of relevant expert groups.
