Peadar Tóibín (Meath West, Aontú) | Oireachtas source

If I am correct, it is still the case that the amount of money being given to the programme is increasing but the number of children or, at least, schools receiving it is falling or remaining static, depending on which section of it one is looking at. We very properly debate in the House the cost of living increasing throughout the State. There is an issue with inflation in the inputs into school meals, meaning that more money goes less distance towards meeting the needs of young children in those schools.

We are seeing a greater need for this service now. Families are being squeezed by the cost of living. Throughout Ireland today, there are young children going to sleep hungry. This has a significant effect on many aspects of their lives, not just their physical growth, but also their mental health and their ability to participate in education. What we need is a commitment from the Government that not only will the amount of money invested in the programme increase, but the number of children and schools availing of it will also increase.

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