Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 15 February 2018
283. Deputy Noel Rock asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if funding will be restored to three schools (details supplied) in Dublin 11 that have lost funding for their breakfast clubs; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7871/18]
View answerFunding towards school meals is being provided in over 1,550 schools and other organisations, supporting up to 247,000 children at a cost of some €54 million in 2018, representing an increase of €6.5 million over the previous year.
Funding for breakfast clubs is being provided to the three schools referred to by the Deputy. Funding is based on the previous year’s pupil enrolment figures as provided by the Department of Education and Skills. Any adjustments in funding arise from reported changes in pupil enrolment numbers. There is a particular focus on the provision of breakfast clubs within the programme which provide very positive outcomes for vulnerable children in terms of their energy levels, punctuality and school attendance.
In previous years, one of the schools received both breakfast and lunch funding for 30 pre-school children that attend the school for 2.5 hours a day under the early start programme. These children are eligible for one meal per day and funding for a breakfast was approved for the current school year as the children attend the morning session and are not in attendance for lunch. The Department will work with the school to ensure that these pre-school children receive breakfast. A breakfast and lunch club continues to be provided to the primary school children that attend the school for the full day.
If any of the schools concerned have an issue with their funding they can contact officials in my Department to discuss.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
