Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 5 March 2019
524. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection her views on a matter in relation to the school meals scheme (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10336/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe 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 €57.6 million in 2019 representing an increase of €3.6 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.
As part of Budget 2019, it was announced that my department would commence a pilot scheme from September 2019, providing Hot School Meals in 36 schools for an estimated 7,200 children at a cost of €1m for 2019 and €2.5m in a full year.
The Programme is an important component of policies to encourage school attendance and improved educational achievement by children.
Research shows us the value of the provision of adequate and nutritious meals for a child’s health, learning, attention and educational achievement. That is why I am providing funds to establish a pilot programme for a hot meals scheme in primary schools.
For schools already participating in the School Meals Programme, it is intended that the hot meal will replace the lunch option for the duration of the pilot i.e. the school year commencing in September 2019.
Eligible primary schools will shortly be issued with an invitation to submit an Expression of Interest to participate in the pilot from September 2019. Funding of €2.90 per meal will be provided and it will not be permitted to seek an additional contribution from families to provide the meals. Schools will identify a supplier who will supply (prepare and deliver) the hot meals in line with HACCP and food safety regulations in compliance with the Healthy Ireland nutrition standards for school meals.
In recent years entry to the School Meals Scheme has been confined to DEIS schools or schools deemed by the Department of Education and Skills to be in need of school meals support. The school concerned applied for funding for a Dinner Club for the 2018/2019 academic year but were refused on the basis that they are not a DEIS school and are not deemed by DES to be in need of school meals support. They do receive funding from my Department, through a major charity, for breakfast for a small number of children. The school will shortly receive an expression of interest letter for the hot school meal pilot.
I trust that this clarifies the position.
