Ms Helen Faughnan:

In terms of the numbers participating, reference has been made to DEIS schools in bands 1 and 2. In percentage terms, some 98% of DEIS band 1 schools are participating, 97% of DEIS band 2 schools and in rural primary schools the percentage has increased from 67% to 77%. We have 836 DEIS schools, of which 742, 89%, are participating. Therefore, some 94 DEIS schools are not in the scheme. Despite writing to them and despite staff in the relevant section being in contact with them, the feedback, from rural schools in particular, is that rural families seem to be feeding their children.

I accept what Ms Keenan has said about some of the schools, that there is a concern about setting up the structure, etc., for the scheme. Our experience is that the school meals scheme is delivered in a variety of ways and that schools, principals and volunteers have been innovative in terms of using the resources they have. Some schools have a full canteen service, operated either by the school or outsourced to a private catering firm. In other examples, the school purchases prepared meals from a specialist school meal supplier. Others purchase prepared meals from local suppliers, such as a local café, restaurant or deli. Some purchase supplies and meals are prepared either on site or off site by volunteers or staff. Sometimes food that requires no preparation is purchased from local shops or wholesalers. This provides some idea of the scope for the scheme.

We too have a concern in regard to the spread of Departments involved in this. The Department of Education and Skills has taken a key step in this regard. In 2014, it commissioned a consolidated report on previous evaluations of DEIS. From that report, Learning from the Evaluation of DEIS was published in April 2015. Since then, the Minister has announced a consultation process to inform the future direction for the DEIS programme. An interdepartmental group has been established and we are participating in that. The first meeting of that group was held last week. We hope that this will be the initiation or stepping stones for the establishment of some sort of national strategy to address this issue, because we agree a more comprehensive and co-ordinated approach would be of value.

Deputy Ó Snodaigh asked how schools manage. I have set out the different approaches they take. The benefit of these is the economies of scale they can achieve in terms of purchase. Generally, the schools manage within the allocations provided to them. He also asked about inspections. Our inspections are threefold. We inspect the type of food being provided to ensure that schools adhere as best as possible to the healthy food guidelines. For example, we have had to follow up with schools that have been providing fizzy drinks rather than milk or better options. We also examine the finances and accounts regarding the money we have provided. We also check the number of children being fed. We are seeking to improve this in the context of getting more statistical information from the Department of Education and Skills in regard to the number of children registered. We are flexible however and if schools have a spike in pupil numbers, we can adapt to that.

On the question of which Department should be responsible for the programme, that is a matter for the Government in the context of allocating responsibility. Our Department is willing to work with and support whatever strategy is put in place because from the social inclusion perspective, the school meals programme is a vital support to children and parents.