Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 27 October 2004
253 Mr. Stanton asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the estimate provided in 2003 for the school meals community programme; the amount actually expended in 2003; the reason for the difference between the estimate provision and the outturn if any; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26407/04]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe school meals programme provides funding for the urban school meals scheme, which operates in conjunction with certain local authorities, as well as for a number of locally operated school meals projects, that are supported under the school meal community programme.
Funding is provided for food only and is based on a rate per meal per child. The type and range of meals provided as well as the method and logistics of supplying the meals are decided by the local groups that design and run the projects. Some €3.25 million was provided in 2003. Total expenditure amounted to €1.76 million.
My Department is working with the Department of Education and Science to extend the school meals programme. That Department is using its schools completion programme and giving children an even break initiative to target disadvantaged schools and is promoting the school meals programme through its local schools completion programme co-ordinators. In July 2003 invitations to apply for funding under the school meals programme were issued by my Department to 217 schools identified and the Department is in regular contact with the Department of Education and Science in order to maximise the uptake of the programme by schools.
