Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The school milk scheme is intended to boost milk consumption and to promote and encourage the consumption of milk among school children. In 2012, €0.9 million was provided for payments towards the cost of whole milk and skimmed milk products, including milk flavoured and otherwise, and plain yogurts to all nurseries, preschools and primary school pupils. Each pupil is entitled to a maximum of 250 millilitres of milk or milk equivalent per day at a charge determined by the creameries. In other words, we are essentially subsidising the cost of the provision of milk to schools.