School Meals Programme

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 6 May 2015

Wednesday, 6 May 2015

Questions (47)

Charlie McConalogue

Question:

47. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the number of schools availing of funding from her Department for the provision of school lunches which have run out of funding for this academic year and have had to stop providing school lunches to children as a result; if her Department will provide these schools with funding in order that school lunches can be provided to the children for the remainder of this school year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17339/15]

Written answers

Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection

The school meals programme provides funding towards the provision of food services to some 1,600 schools and organisations which benefits over 205,000 children. The programme is an important component of policies to encourage school attendance and extra educational achievement by children especially those from the most disadvantaged background. Government has provided €39 million for the scheme in 2015 which includes an additional €2 million over that provided last year.

The Department is aware of a primary school in Donegal that has a shortfall in funding for this school year. Officials have engaged with the school principal and arrangements are being made to provide additional funding of some €7,500 to the school to provide school lunches for the remainder of this school year.