Mr. Damian White:

The food programme needs to be substantially expanded. That has been discussed at previous sessions of this committee. It would plug a gap in so many ways. Many children are experiencing food poverty. It was never clearer than during the pandemic when there was serious appreciation for the food that was distributed by schools and the fact that schools set it up. An Post and various voluntary agencies helped in every way they could. Food is vital for everything. A child who comes to school in bad humour and does not get any decent food during the day will not be easy to teach in the evening, no matter what level they are at – from junior infants to sixth year. It makes a difference if they get a nutritious meal during the day. The committee acknowledged in previous hearings that food should be available during holidays. We are a reasonably well-off country and we should be able to support the neediest children and get them to the point where they are out in society and can make decisions for themselves.

Senator O'Reilly mentioned wider society and where we should be going. What we are trying to do is create global citizens in school. They get a rounded experience in school. They get good example from staff. The way staff and pupils interact is probably miles different from when I was in school. It is less hierarchical and there is much more consultation. There are committees within schools. Even in primary school now there are student councils where ideas are taken on and accepted and people can see the power of negotiation. There is a hell of a lot more opportunity now for children to shine and less reason for them to be overlooked or to feel their opinion does not count.

There is a great opportunity out there. For the most part, we are using the opportunity to drive good citizenship and good behaviour. Perhaps if the pandemic has done nothing else, it has humbled us a little and brought us back to the point where we realise what is important – good nutrition, good relationships and so on. I will hand over to another speaker.