Maria Byrne (Fine Gael)
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I thank the witnesses for their presentations. As I am the last member to speak, many of my questions have been asked already and I will not go back over them. I agree with Senator Gallagher about the parents. It is about educating them. For too long, parents were not very conscious of what they put in the school lunch boxes. There is much more emphasis now. We have to find some way of getting the message to them. As has been mentioned, many children are very conscious of what they are eating but I still think the parents need to be made aware of this. Do the schools send out a guideline as to what is advisable to eat or whatever? Many schools are much more conscious of this now and of having healthy foods. Obviously, the DEIS schools are being provided with healthy school boxes and breakfast in the morning.

Many schools nowadays do not have vending machines with fizzy drinks or sweets. When I was going to school, we could get whatever we wanted in the tuck shop. Many schools have come on board in terms of what they are offering. We should have more incentives to try to bring the parents on board. I am aware that a number of the Department's initiatives have involved bringing the parents in. We need to bring them in and encourage them. The active schools flag has been referred to. A well-being programme is being introduced now in many schools. What children eat could be included in that programme.