Ms Jackie Harrington:

The focus of the school meals programme is on DEIS schools. At the moment, there are approximately 900 DEIS schools throughout the country, of which more than 850 are in receipt of school meals. Approximately 95% of DEIS schools are participating. A total of 49 schools are not participating at the moment. One of these schools approached the Department in recent weeks indicating a desire to come on board from September. We have written to the other 48 schools within the past two weeks to encourage them to apply. These tend to be schools in rural areas. Urban and town schools tend to be in the programme. DEIS schools in rural areas are less likely to be involved and they tend to form the 5%. We are in contact with them. I hope we can increase the 95% figure for this coming year.