asked the Minister for Local Government and Public Health, if, in view of the widespread unemployment in rural areas, he will introduce legislation, to enable necessitous school children in these areas to be provided for as children are in urban centres.
CEISTEANNA—QUESTIONS. ORAL ANSWERS. - NECESSITOUS CHILDREN IN RURAL SCHOOLS.
There does not appear to be a general demand for legislation to extend to rural areas facilities for provision of school meals. I would be prepared to take the views of the county councils on the matter. I may add that although the provisions of the Education (Provision of Meals) Acts, 1914-1917, have been repeatedly drawn attention to by the Department only 22 out of 70 urban authorities are carrying out schemes.
Will the Minister consider the question of making these provisions mandatory on the councils?
Am I to understand that the Minister is going at once to try and obtain the views of the county councils?
I am prepared to take the views of the county councils on the matter. I would like to consider whether I would approach them directly or let them make representations.
Can the Minister say if his Department will now try to secure the views of the county councils on the matter by circular or otherwise?
I would like to consider the matter. The county councils are in direct touch with the situation, and if the matter were a pressing one, I am sure that we would have had representations from them before this. In view of the fact that a large number of the urban authorities have not attempted to make use of the scheme, in spite of their attention having been drawn to it repeatedly, I would like to consider whether there ought to be a definite invitation on the matter.
Is the Minister aware that there is greater necessity for the scheme in rural than in urban areas?