Schools Facilities

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 12 March 2019

Tuesday, 12 March 2019

Questions (132, 133)

Denise Mitchell

Question:

132. Deputy Denise Mitchell asked the Minister for Education and Skills the costs associated with conducting a national audit of secondary schools in respect of the equipment, infrastructure and facilities available to cook, prepare and serve meals to students in addition to the facilities in which they can eat; if this can be undertaken as part of a healthy schools policy; his plans for such an audit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11565/19]

Denise Mitchell

Question:

133. Deputy Denise Mitchell asked the Minister for Education and Skills the funding available to schools that wish to develop and purchase equipment, infrastructure and facilities available to cook, prepare and serve meals to students in addition to the facilities in which they can eat; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11566/19]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

I propose to take Questions Nos. 132 and 133 together.

My Department has in place detailed design guidelines for primary and post-primary schools. These guidelines, which are available on my Department's website, currently provide for a standard range of servery and eating facilities in the design of new Post Primary schools. At Post Primary level a kitchenette, 25m² in area, is provided off the General Purpose/Dining Area. These facilities are not intended to be full commercial type canteens where food is prepared or cooked.

My Department has no plans to undertake a national survey along the lines referred to by the Deputy.