Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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Gabhaim buíochas leis na finnéithe as an méid atá ráite acu go dtí seo. A number of questions arise from the presentation. How do we move from where we are today? That is the key question. I think everyone here, and everyone who has visited a school that has participated in the school meals programme, can see how valuable it is. How can we ensure all DEIS schools can avail of the school meals programme in the first instance? How can we roll out the scheme beyond those schools? There are pupils in non-DEIS schools who are facing the same levels of disadvantage as their counterparts in DEIS schools. It would be interesting to hear how this is managed in the North. As far as I remember, they have a registration scheme of some sort.

My next question relates to the cost of delivering this scheme. Most schools operate within whatever they are given. I do not know how they manage to deliver the programme that is in front of them at the price they are given. For example, 60 cent per child is provided for breakfast. The programme or the scheme must provide two of the following items: cereal, toast, scone, fruit, yoghurt or milk. That does not include the cost of washing, cleaning and everything else. I know the money is supposed to be spent on food, but part of the spending relates to preparation. Anyone would do well to meet this challenge. The same thing applies to the lunchtime provision. I will not go through the figures. It is fabulous that people can do this. Are schools having to come up with additional funds to allow school projects to continue at the rate that has been set? The Department has said the food that is provided must be of a suitable quality and nutritional value. Yoghurt is of major nutritional value, but one can get very few yoghurts for less than 50 cent. I think it is a hard ask. I can understand the restrictions the Department is under. Some of the shortfalls in terms of the costs that have to be met, or the funding that is available, have to be addressed even as this scheme is expanding.

I would like to ask a question about the inspections that are done by the Department of Social Protection. What is being inspected? Are the inspectors making sure enough kids are there, or are they looking at food quality? I would imagine that the Food Safety Authority would be a more appropriate body to look at food quality. Perhaps the Department of Social Protection inspectors are experts at this stage. This brings us back to Ms Keenan's argument that a single forum or body needs to be responsible. At least such a body would have the necessary food safety expertise. I will leave it there. I can come back if needs be.