Mr. Pádraig McCabe:

With regard to poverty and the distribution, Ms Keenan is right that schools are for universal provision not the provision for some or a few. Schools are not homogeneous groups and when children come into DEIS schools all kinds of factors come into play. Some of the reasons why schools are given DEIS status include the extent of single parent homes, the educational attainment of parents, addiction and private rented accommodation. We all know there are many issues around private rented accommodation and paying rent. Food is a variable in people's pay packet, it is one of the things families can skimp on whereas if the rent or bills are not paid they are in trouble. Cheaper food is less healthy than proper food. While wealth may be distributed better, some of the families are facing more significant problems. In DEIS schools we have noticed that food poverty is not the sole factor in that children are being affected by all sorts of home situations, including mental health and child mental health issues in the home, addiction and, in a minority of cases, there are children living with criminality. Different factors can affect a child's life.

As a principal of a DEIS school, every time I have to make a decision I only see children. That is what I deal with from the time I go to work until I leave so nothing else comes into my psyche. If there are any other factors which impact on why those children are not being fed in school I personally do not factor it in. I want to make sure the child in front of me is looked after and any strategy should also be focusing on the children. When it comes to how the food is provided, whether it is lunches or otherwise, our model is to use a private company, which works well for us. The three-piece lunch is €1.40, the small snack is 60 cent and the breakfast is 60 cent. Once the school has the funding it can provide relatively healthy food. It is as healthy as we can provide in the circumstances.

It is interesting to watch the Food Dudes and those type of programmes coming into schools. We can take food choices for granted. Children in our school do not. If you provide a strawberry, a mango or a blueberry to a child in a DEIS band 1 school they are considered exotic fruits which most of the children will never see. The food programmes give the children an opportunity to experience healthy food options. When one deals with food poverty there is the education aspect of accessibility, affordability and raising the awareness of healthy food. However, by doing it in schools in a non-threatening way it spills over into the family. The parents come in and see what the children are eating and it is hugely beneficial.