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School Meals Programme

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 12 June 2018

Tuesday, 12 June 2018

Ceisteanna (1197)

Róisín Shortall

Ceist:

1197. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection further to Parliamentary Question No. 1830 of 16 January 2018, the reason funding from the schools meals programme has not been provided to a school (details supplied); and if she will ensure that this commences from September 2018. [24465/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The school meals programme provides funding towards the provision of food to some 1,580 schools and organisations benefitting 250,000 children at a total cost of €54 million in 2018 representing an increase of €6.5 million over the previous year. The objective of the scheme is to provide regular, nutritious food to children who are 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.

The scheme provides funding for a breakfast for all children and lunch for up to 90% of children in DEIS schools for the entire school year from September to June. For the first time in many years, breakfasts are also now available to some schools outside DEIS. Schools are notified in writing of their allocation at the beginning of the academic year.

The school referred to by the Deputy, which is a DEIS school, is currently being funded for a breakfast for all children and a lunch for up to 90% of children based on the enrolment figure provided by the Department of Education and Skills.

Schools and organisations must reapply for funding in advance of each school year and are required to submit detailed records. These records include one complete month’s receipts for the previous funding year. The school should submit an application for September 2018 as soon as possible.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

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