Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 4 December 2018
632. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the reason the provision of jelly and ice cream was initially unapproved by her Department as part of a school meals programme for a special needs school (details supplied) and then was subsequently approved; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50420/18]
View answerThe school meals programme provides funding towards the provision of food to some 1,580 schools and organisations benefitting 250,000 children at a total cost of €54 million in 2018 representing an increase of €6.5 million over the previous year. 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. The programme is an important component of policies to encourage school attendance and extra educational achievement.
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 various healthy eating documents and guidelines are available on the school meals site including a link to 'Nutrition Standards for School Meals'.
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.
An application was received from the School which indicated that some expenditure on items was ineligible. The application was reviewed by the Department in consultation with the school and a revised application was submitted and paid in full by the Department.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
