Dick Spring
Ceist:59 Mr. Spring asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs the reason for the delay in producing the review of the school meals scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5730/01]
Written Answers. - School Meals Scheme.
I established an interdepartmental working group, chaired by my Department, to review the existing school meals scheme with a view to developing proposals for the future of school meals provision. The working group first met in September 1999 and while it was originally envisaged that it would take approximately one year to complete the review this has not been possible. There are two principal reasons for this. First, the range of stakeholders, views and possible policy responses was not fully anticipated at the outset. It is now clear that a major reform of policy in this and related areas is required. I am determined to introduce a new and innovative response to this issue, a response that will meet the needs of today's school going children in an efficient and effective manner.
Second, as a result of the consultation exercise which the working group engaged in, a number of existing school and community based projects in this area came to light. The overwhelming area of concern identified by these projects was the lack of State funding for such projects. I decided that an immediate response was required for these groups who are so committed to the valuable work they are undertaking, with the continuing worry of how they will fund their projects into the future. Accordingly, I provided interim funding of £100,000 last September. I was pleased to announce an additional allocation of £200,000 in budget 2001.
The introduction of the interim arrangements has also enabled my Department to generate interest in this area amongst schools and groups who heretofore were not in a position to introduce food clubs to meet local need due to lack of funding. This is extremely important and will ensure that these schools are well positioned to take full advantage the new arrangements which I am committed to bringing forward later this year.