Ned O'Keeffe
Question:121 Mr. N. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the scheme or concession available from his Department regarding the provision of milk to pupils in schools (details supplied). [30228/03]
Written Answers. - School Milk Scheme.
The EU school milk scheme has been operated by my Department since 1982. The scheme provides for the payment of aid on the sale of milk and milk products supplied to all nursery, primary and secondary school children. The objective of the scheme is to promote and encourage milk consumption among school-going children.
Participation in the scheme is open to all schools. Approximately 2,500 schools participate in the scheme annually covering over 90,000 pupils or 20% of the school-going population. Under the scheme, school pupils are entitled to receive a carton of milk at a maximum price of 15 cent per pupil per day. The subsidy payable represents about half this price.
The scheme is largely funded by the EU with provision for Exchequer contribution. Total expenditure averages €1.3 million, depending on uptake in any one year, of which the Exchequer contribution amounts to €350,000.