Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 16 May 2017
251. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Social Protection the cost of the free school meals programme for each of the past five years; the current rates of payment per meal, child and day, respectively; the number of students availing of each meal option, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22812/17]
View answer252. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Social Protection the way the free school meals programme is assessed or audited in terms of the provision of suitable quality and nutritional value; the way the free school meals programme is assessed or audited in terms of the way in which meals are prepared and consumed; if his attention has been drawn to instances in which the lack of access to appropriate infrastructure has hindered the ability of a school to avail of the scheme or a particular meal option; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22813/17]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 251 and 252 together.
The school meals programme provides funding towards the provision of food to some 1,460 schools and organisations benefitting over 200,000 children at a total cost of some €47.7 million in 2017. The funding for the scheme was increased this year, as part of Budget 2017, by an additional €5.7 million (almost 14% over the previous year’s allocation) which will benefit over 50,000 children. The funding allocated for the school meals programme for the last five years is provided in the tabular statement. Funding is based on a rate of payment per meal, per child, per day. The maximum rates of payment and the number of students availing of each meal option is also provided in the tabular statement.
The objective of the scheme is to provide regular, nutritious food to children who are unable, due to lack of good quality food, to take full advantage of the education provided to them. Applicants to the scheme are directed to the Department’s website which clearly advises that funding is for healthy nutritious food only and examples of food items are provided. Access to healthy eating documents and guidelines are available on the school meals site including a link to the most recently launched ‘Healthy Food for Life – the Healthy Eating Guidelines and Food Pyramid'’ by the Department of Health. The Department is engaging with Safefood and the Department of Health in the development of technical standards for food provided in schools, which will include that provided under the school meals programme.
Schools and organisations must reapply for funding in advance of each school year and are required to submit detailed records at the end of each school year. Expenditure on unhealthy food items is deducted from the following year’s funding allocation. In addition, the Department initiated an on-site inspection programme in 2012 in participating schools to ensure that the scheme rules are being adhered to. The inspection process is being rolled out across all schools and includes an assessment of the type of food provided.
The operation of school meals projects is the responsibility of the school or group including the delivery model and choice of supplier to be used. The scheme can be delivered in a variety of ways and depends on the needs, capabilities and resources, including infrastructure, of the schools or groups. Delivery models can range from the provision of full canteen services to the purchase of pre-prepared meals from specialist school meals suppliers or local suppliers which ensures that the supports available under the scheme can be provided across all schools. The physical infrastructure in schools is a matter for my colleague, the Minister for Education and Skills.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
Table 1: Allocation under the School Meals Scheme 2012 – 2016
|
Allocation |
|
|
Year |
€m |
|
2012 |
35 |
|
2013 |
37 |
|
2014 |
39 |
|
2015 |
39 |
|
2016 |
42 |
Table 2: Rates of Payment for school meals scheme and number of pupils availing in the 2016/17 Academic Year
|
Meal |
Max Rate of Payment (per child per day) |
Examples of Food to be Provided |
No. of Pupils |
|
Breakfast/Snack |
€0.60 |
Cereal, Toast, Scone, Fruit, Yogurt, Milk, Unsweetened Juice - 2 Items must be provided |
125,260 |
|
Lunch/Afterschool |
€1.40 |
Filled Sandwich/Roll or Soup & Roll or Salad Plate, plus2 other items (e.g. Water, Milk, Unsweetened Juice, Fruit, Yogurt) |
142,220 |
|
Dinner |
€1.90 |
Meat, Potatoes & Vegetables or Chicken Curry or Spaghetti Bolognaise, plusa drink (Milk, Water, Unsweetened Juice) |
20,420 |
