Brendan Griffin
Question:278. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Social Protection his views on a matter (details supplied) regarding the free school meals programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3133/17]
View answerTuesday, 24 January 2017
Questions (278)
Written answers
The school meals programme provides funding towards the provision of food to schools and organisations benefitting over 200,000 children at a total cost of some €40 million in 2016. As part of Budget 2017, I announced an additional €5.7 million for school meals which will benefit over 50,000 extra children.
Priority for new applications for funding has been given to schools which are part of the Department of Education and Skills initiative for disadvantaged schools “Delivering Equality of Opportunity in Schools” (DEIS) in line with the National Policy Framework for Children and Young People, Better Outcomes Brighter Futures. From September 2016 additional funding is being provided to DEIS schools already participating in the scheme to provide breakfast and lunch to pupils. Also, some 17 new DEIS schools have joined the scheme for the current academic year and a further 8 have expressed an interest in joining.
The school referred to by the Deputy previously applied to join the scheme and was informed that no provision could be provided at that time as they were not designated DEIS status.
The additional funding allocated in Budget 2017 also provides for the inclusion in the scheme, from September 2017, of any additional schools not currently part of DEIS and deemed to be disadvantaged following the completion of the review under way in the Department of Education and Skills. There is also some provision towards the extension of the scheme to breakfast clubs in non-DEIS schools from September 2017 which is the first time in many years that increased payments will be provided to schools outside of DEIS. Priority will be provided to those schools where there is most need and they will be contacted by the Department inviting them to join the school meals scheme in due course.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.