Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire (Cork South Central, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister for that very comprehensive answer. I got most of it. I am sitting next to Deputy Ó Murchú, so I did not necessarily get all of it. In any event, we have regarded this area as a vital priority.

In any event, the programme is in an area that Sinn Féin sees as a priority. It is a good news story that it continues to be expanded. In the longer run, similar to Deputy O'Sullivan, I would like to see it expanded to all schools. In fairness, the Department and the Minister have done good work in this area, as did the previous Minister, but we are a long way behind comparable European countries. It is the norm in most European countries, particularly at post-primary level, for students to get a hot school meal. Not everything can be done in a single year, but is that the long-term ambition of the Minister? What is the trajectory? How will get to that stage? How many years does she foresee it will take to get to the stage where a good quality hot school meal? I have a child who benefits from the scheme and the quality is good. What is the timescale or trajectory to get it right across the board?

See this speech in context