Dessie Ellis (Dublin North West, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

For 18 years, early bird breakfast clubs have been a huge success in Ballymun. Last year alone, 58,840 breakfasts were served at five DEIS schools in the Ballymun area. Some of the funding for the scheme was provided through the Ballymun local drugs and alcohol task force as well as from other funding sources in different Departments. The BEST project was tasked with managing the scheme and 18 staff, most of whom are working on a part-time basis, administer and operate it.

Children who are served a wholesome breakfast in the morning are better equipped to face a day of learning and concentration in these schools. Some of the children come from highly deprived backgrounds and they need all the supports and help they can get. The loss of the breakfast clubs is a considerable blow, not only to the children but also to their families who rely on these supports and help.

The staff employed by the service receive special training and attend courses in all aspects of child protection. They are trained to the highest standards.

The social interaction between children, who meet friends, teachers and staff, has helped to shape their future. The benefits of sitting down together and having a proper meal in a proper environment should not be underestimated. There is a real fear that standards, which have been improving, will fall and children may lose out, especially those from minority backgrounds.

The BEST project has sought to secure funding but has run into a brick wall. The excuse given is that employing staff is not necessary and schools can handle the service by providing a snack and a lunch. I have spoken to some of the schools and they will struggle hard to do this. It will place significant strain on the schools in question, some of which do not have the necessary resources.

The withdrawal of funding by the task force is regrettable, especially as no other funding stream has been identified. Is funding available from any other source, for example, the Department of Education and Skills, Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection or Tusla? Could funding be found elsewhere to continue employing these staff and help alleviate the problem? The threat is immediate as notices have been served on staff. We will lose the project in Ballymun shortly, which would be a disaster. It has worked well for 18 years in spite of considerable problems in the area where many children are at risk.

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