Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 10 May 2022
539. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Social Protection if the School Meals Programme will be extended to the summer (July) provision scheme 2023; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22811/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe school meals programme provides funding towards the provision of food to some 1,506 schools and organisations benefitting 230,000 children. The objective of the programme 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.Funding under the School Meals Programme is normally confined to the academic year but an exception was made in summer 2020 and 2021 in the context of the Covid-19 Pandemic. As restrictions relating to Covid-19 have been lifted, the school meals scheme has resumed funding for the normal duration of 36 weeks for primary schools and 33 weeks for post primary schools.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
