Niamh Smyth
Question:368. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Social Protection to review a case with regard to the free school meals initiative (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53727/23]
View answerTuesday, 5 December 2023
Questions (368)
Written answers
The School Meals Programme provides funding towards the provision of food to some 1,700 schools and organisations benefitting 300,000 children at present. It provides regular, nutritious food to children who may be 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.
I can confirm that an official of my Department has contacted the Principal of the school referred to by the Deputy to advise that there are numerous suppliers of school meals in Ireland and that a school can explore other options for procuring school meals, such as local restaurants, cafés, supermarkets and shops for the provision of their school meals.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.