Ms Cliodhna O'Neill:

The Deputy had a query on school inspectors. The inspectorate, which is statutorily independent, has a significant programme of inspection it rolls our across our schools on an annual basis. At different times the inspectors have thematic inspections as well as the types of inspections we are all familiar with such as whole-school inspection or a subject inspection. They also have thematic inspections on, for example, well-being. They do those and then publish composite reports in those areas. As part of the strategy we have linked in with the inspectors to ensure there is significant focus on Traveller and Roma attendance and teaching and learning and ensuring Traveller and Roma children and young people are part of that inspection. Now when the inspectorate does an inspection in schools they speak to the whole school community. They have a very strong mechanism for engagement with the student population and with parents as well as other members of the school community. We have been engaging with them in respect of that. That programme of inspection has commenced and will roll out further over the coming period. That is an important element to the strategy.

The Deputy had a query regarding school meals. The school meals programme is run by the Department of Social Protection with funding given out to schools. That is now a universal programme for primary schools. My understanding is the final tranche of schools are joining up and schools were invited to apply for that if they were not already in receipt of it. The question may have been around breakfast clubs and that area.