Mr. Pádraig McCabe:

I thank the committee for its invitation to discuss the school meals programme. Much of what I intend to say will echo some of what Sinéad Keenan said. The key issue from the IPPN point of view is that currently one in five children is coming to school hungry. That is a shocking statistic. As Sinéad said, this impacts significantly on their learning, concentration, attention, motivation and general well-being. Low income families are particularly vulnerable, as members of the committee are aware. DEIS schools, indeed all schools, have seen the impact of this.

The IPPN emphasises that at present we do not have a systematic national strategy to prevent hunger in schools, nor is there a single Department with responsibility for developing such a strategy. We also highlight the fact that there are anomalies in the system in terms of funding and provision. Sinéad has outlined some good practices that are happening in schools. There is no question about that. We also acknowledge the Government's commitment to school meals as is evident in the increased budget provision during very straitened times. Given the progress in this area to date, we believe the forthcoming centenary celebrations and the impending election give everybody an opportunity to address the need for a strategy for hunger prevention in schools with a view to "cherishing all of the children of the nation equally".

We acknowledge the opportunities provided by the national policy framework, Better Outcomes, Brighter Futures. This articulates a clear vision and defines clear goals and outcomes for children and families. The framework also names the Departments with responsibility for addressing food poverty, healthy food and schools meals, namely, the Department of Education and Skills, the Department of Children and Youth Affairs and the Department of Social Protection. We believe an efficient school meals programme has the potential to contribute significantly to all of these goals and outcomes. It is important that we convey that message.

In terms of funding, school meals funding is for food items only.

However, as alluded to by Ms Sinéad Keenan, increases in spending on school infrastructure provides an opportunity to allocate an explicit funding strand for providing kitchens and facilities in schools and schools should be made aware of that.

In terms of the challenges we face, we have already mentioned the absence of a national strategy for hunger prevention in schools and we note also that there is not one Department - that is key - or individual responsible for developing such a strategy. This has resulted, as the members have heard, in a fragmented approach. There are also issues around flexibility, information for schools and funding anomalies.

In the context of improving education outcomes in DEIS schools, the roll-out of school meals demonstrates that account is being taken of the impact of poor nutrition on children's education, which we acknowledge. However, the response lacks consistency on a clear strategy. Currently, as members have heard, a number of schools are not engaging in the school meals programme and a significant number of children from disadvantaged backgrounds are not attending DEIS schools. There are DEIS schools not engaging in the programme and there are children in non-DEIS schools who also suffer from significant disadvantage. We note from some media reports that there seems to be a misinterpretation as to why that is happening. There is no doubt that schools have concerns around the provision of school meals and there is a challenge for schools in this respect. They relate to a lack of adequate information and clear procedures, a lack of personnel, the reduction of in-school management structures, inadequate space and facilities, the workload and administrative burden, volunteer management, and concerns around waste and that there is no funding provided for infrastructure as the funding provided is only for food. We also believe that recommending the use of the minor works grants to provide such infrastructure does not take account of the stresses on school budgets currently as a result of the austerity measures that we have gone through. I know from talking to principals there are also concerns about stigmatising children in the absence of not providing for all children.

In terms of the strengths of the programme, I have been a principal of a DEIS school for 18 years and I can put my hand on my heart and say that the school meals provision in schools where it is properly done has been probably one of the most significant developments in our schools in terms of its direct and positive impact on children. As a result of this programme in our schools, many children now have access to a healthy breakfast and/or a healthy lunch and the way it is provided ensures a regular food intake in appropriate portions for small children, and the consequences of that are phenomenal in terms of their educational, psychological health and social welfare.

The scheme has given rise to very good models of practice. For example, there are currently facilities preparing food off-site and this has reduced the need for kitchen facilities in schools while the food being provided can be monitored in terms of health and nutritional values. The Better Outcomes, Brighter Futures brainwork document highlights the returns that can accrue from investing in children. The school meals programme addresses all the goals and outcomes in that respect. It constitutes an excellent investment in children and it makes very good economic sense.

The Irish Primary Principals Network recommends nominating one Department to have full responsibility for addressing food poverty and for developing a national strategy to prevent hunger in schools. That is our primary focus. We acknowledge all the strengths in the system but we would also recommend that the anomalies currently in the system need to be addressed. They include, for example, providing funding for basic infrastructure without recourse to the minor works grant, having clear procedures and guidelines, ensuring adequate training and support, expanding the programme and ensuring systematic and fair provision. In terms of initiating the school meals programme in schools, it is important to decide who is responsible for it. This is too important an issue. Children going hungry in schools in the 21st century in a first world country that is known for its agriculture and food production is totally unacceptable. We have to grapple with the question of who is responsible for initiating this programme in schools.

We understand the magnitude of the issue of dealing with poverty and that it is a huge task to lift children out of poverty and the limitations on the allocation of resources, but we would say very strongly today that as a very minimum no child should go hungry in school and that every child in a DEIS school, in particular, given the communities we serve should have access to a healthy breakfast and should have a healthy lunch provided. That goes without saying. We acknowledge all the excellent work that has been done and the funding that has been provided. There are excellent models of practice that can be built on, of which the school meals programme is one, and we would implore people to build on those.