School Meals Programme

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 22 April 2015

Wednesday, 22 April 2015

Questions (32)

Jonathan O'Brien

Question:

32. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Education and Skills if her attention has been drawn to the fact that one in eight schools under the delivering equality of opportunity in schools programme do not offer the school meals programme; if her Department has examined the costs of providing one-off funding to schools for the start-up costs associated with providing the programme, such as purchasing kitchen equipment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15479/15]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

The School Meals programme is administered by the Department of Social Protection and schools must apply to that Department for inclusion in the programme. Some DEIS schools have not applied for inclusion in the programme. That is a matter for individual schools themselves to decide.

However, I understand that 97% of DEIS Band 1 schools - which are those experiencing the highest levels of educational disadvantage - do participate in the programme.

My Department currently provides a standard range of servery and dining facilities in the design of new Primary and Post Primary schools.

For existing schools the Minor Works Grant is available for all schools and it is a matter for each school to prioritise the works it requires within the scope of this Grant to provide required facilities.