John Halligan (Waterford, Independent) | Oireachtas source

It does not require constant monitoring; rather, it requires immediate action. I do not believe for one moment that the Taoiseach would accept that children should go to school hungry. I do not think he is that type of person and know that he knows that this is the case. We are maintaining levels of support for schools, but the problem is that there are more and more children going to school every year and more and more children falling into poverty. I am appealing to the Taoiseach to meet and sit down with primary school principals to listen to what they are saying. Is he aware that principals across the country are bringing in food for children? Is he aware that there are people presenting at soup kitchens? Deputy Thomas Pringle tells me that one is to be opened in Donegal and also in Sligo. People are going to them to get food to give to their children. I have a very simple request. If what school principals are saying is correct and I do not doubt them, will the Taoiseach and his Department meet them? We are not speaking about adults but about the most vulnerable people in our society - young children aged five, six and seven years who are going to school without breakfast and hungry. This cannot be tolerated by any of us in the House, irrespective of our political differences and views on what has happened to the economy or who created the problems in it. The immediate problem is that children are going to school at 8 a.m. before school starts at 9 a.m. in order that they might get something to eat, as was said on the airwaves last week. I am making an appeal to the Taoiseach; I am not arguing with him. I do not want to get into a big row with him on this matter. I appeal to him to meet principals to hear what they have to say. Deputy Finian McGrath is a former school principal and has met principals in recent weeks. They tell him that this is happening. We cannot tolerate it and must bring it to an end. I, therefore, ask the Taoiseach to at least meet principals to listen to what they have to say and do something for the young children concerned.

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