Frances Fitzgerald
Question:40 Ms Fitzgerald asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs if he will reform and develop the school meals service. [29680/00]
Written Answers. - School Meals Scheme.
As I informed the House on 9 November last, I have felt for some time that the current school meals scheme falls a long way short of what is required. A major reform of the scheme is needed and accordingly, I established an interdepartmental working group chaired by my Department to review the scheme from first principles.
The review is being undertaken as part of the series of expenditure reviews which seek to ensure that spending programmes are still relevant and to identify priorities for adjustments in expenditure. In this case, proposals are being developed for a reformed school meals scheme that will meet the needs of today's school-going children in an efficient and effective manner.
The group have engaged in an extensive consultation process as part of the review. All of the issues and difficulties with the current scheme and suggestions for a reformed scheme that have emerged during the consultation process will inform the group's consideration of the future policy direction for the scheme.
I expect to receive the working group's report within the next six months, following which I hope to be in a position to bring proposals to Government regarding a reformed school meals scheme.
Pending completion of the report I was pleased to be able to provide interim funding, in September of this year, of £100,000 per annum towards the food costs, for the voluntary and community groups and schools currently providing school meals outside of the existing scheme. This funding has been allocated to nine groups working in this area and will benefit over 2,000 children. I further re-affirmed my commitment to projects in this area by announcing a further allocation of £200,000 in budget 2001.