asked the Minister for Local Government and Public Health whether he can now give the result of the examination which was stated some months ago to be taking place into the proposed extension of the Education (Provision of Meals) Acts so as to accord the benefits of the Acts to schools in Crumlin; and whether he will also state the cause of delay in giving sanction to the Dublin Corporation's (Schools Meals) Committee to accede to the request of school managers in Terenure and Ringsend, for the application of the Act in their districts.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Meals for Dublin School Children.
Mr. Byrne
The corporation has been notified that the position as regards Crumlin schools could be dealt with by an extension of the city boundary. As regards the extension of school meals to schools in Terenure and Ringsend the proposal was only brought to the notice of my Department on the 16th ultimo. It was then stated that there was no provision therefore in the corporation's estimates. As the expenditure is subject to recoupment from State funds the matter required special examination. The corporation have been notified that they may provide meals, if they so wish, in these schools.
Mr. Byrne
Am I to understand from the Parliamentary Secretary that 4,000 children, who are only a couple of hundred yards outside the border of the City of Dublin and who were removed out there from the City of Dublin, are to be deprived of the benefits of the School Meals Act just because the school itself and not the residences of the children is a couple of hundred yards beyond the border— that they must await the extension of the city boundary in order to get the benefit of the Act? Am I to understand that from the reply of the Parliamentary Secretary?
The Deputy is to understand that the school meals scheme cannot be extended to Crumlin area under the existing law and that the only way the school meals can be provided is by an extension of the City boundary The Minister has no statutory power to extend the schools meals scheme to that area.
Will the Parliamentary Secretary say if, under the Emergency Powers Act passed three or four months ago, the Minister cannot, by merely signing his name to a sheet of paper, provide the powers required?
Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that the road connecting these schools with the housing scheme is in the county area and was made with money supplied by his Department to the county council?
That is a separate question.
Will the Parliamentary Secretary answer the question as to whether the Minister cannot, by putting his name to a sheet of paper, provide the necessary powers under the Emergency Powers Act?
That is not so.
What is to stop him?
Mr. Byrne
Will the Parliamentary Secretary give us any encouragement to extend the school meals to this area?
Will the Deputy get the corporation to extend the city boundary?
That is not in the hands of the corporation.
Mr. Byrne
Dublin Corporation, in their clearance of houses in the city, were encouraged and helped by the Government to build houses in Kimmage. We transferred these children from the city to the extended area of Crumlin, which is in the City of Dublin. Not being able to get a more suitable site, the school was built 200 yards beyond the border. Because the school is beyond the border, though the children's houses are situate in the city, we are to get no encouragement to give the children the benefit of the School Meals Act which is in operation in many schools in the City of Dublin?
The Deputy understands the legal position just as well as I do, and perhaps he will be satisfied, when he has made his speech, that the matter rests with the corporation and that they can deal with it as expeditiously as the Department can.
Mr. Byrne
I say that it is just an excuse to deprive these children of the benefits of the Act.
The Deputy may not make a speech.
I should like to ask the Minister whether his intervention was a considered one in this case, and if he has looked into the question as to whether powers exist under the Emergency Powers Act to provide for these things by order.
That is so.