Seán Fleming (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the opportunity to raise this important issue. I also welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Kevin Humphreys, who is taking it on behalf of the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection, Deputy Joan Burton.

The motion is straightforward and concerns the need for the Minister for Social Protection to make a statement on the funding of the school meals project at Scoil Bhríde, Knockmay, Portlaoise, County Laois. People might assume that because it is a school meals programme, it is within the remit of the Department of Education and Skills, but it is actually a social protection payment, which is why we are dealing with the Department of Social Protection. Some people may not understand why that is the case, but it is. I do not mind where the funding comes from as long as it goes to the pupils in the school.

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