Denise Mitchell (Dublin Bay North, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Mr. Conlon said in his opening statement that additional funding provided to the scheme in recent years has supported the improvement of the scheme to DEIS schools and its extension to non-DEIS schools. I acknowledge Deputy Rabbitte has touched on this issue and I apologise if I am repeating questions. How many non-DEIS schools have received support under the scheme? I am sure that other Deputies have received representations on the eligibility criteria for the scheme in respect of non-DEIS schools. There are schools in all of our areas that are not designated DEIS schools but nonetheless there are children in those schools going to school hungry.

Mr. Conlon said that the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection is writing to schools. Was he referring in that regard to schools that have previously applied for the schools meal programme but were refused?