Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 18 January 2023
666. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Education if she agrees with ETBI that the current rates for the school meal allowance scheme are unrealistic and causing the scheme to be unworkable; if she will request the Department of Social Protection to review the rates to bring them in line with current economic circumstances; and her views on extending the scheme to make it available to all students. [63284/22]
View answer667. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Education her views on whether the school meal allowance scheme should be funded and administered by her Department. [63287/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 666 and 667 together.
Delivering Equality of Opportunity in Schools (DEIS) is a key policy initiative of my Department to address educational disadvantage at school level.
The School Meals Programme which is under the remit of the Department of Social Protection provides funding towards the provision of food services to some 1,600 schools and organisations benefitting 260,000 children. The objective of this programme is to provide regular, nutritious food to children to position them to take full advantage of the education provided to them. The school meals programme is an important component of policies to encourage school attendance and extra educational achievement which are central goals under the DEIS plan. Priority for funding under the school meals programme is currently given to DEIS schools.
Officials from my Department engage regularly with officials from the Department of Social Protection regarding the school meals programme which is a key component of the DEIS programme. While the School Meals Programme is under the remit of the Department of Social Protection, the increased investment in DEIS and in the school meals programme demonstrates a shared commitment across Government to address disadvantage.
