Violet-Anne Wynne (Clare, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I appreciate all of the information the Minister provided. It has been some feat that she has undertaken over the past number of years. I would like to raise St. Anne's with the Minister, a special school in Ennis. It is a fantastic school. I have heard countless testimonies that the staff and the principal go above and beyond for each and every one of the students. They currently have 141 pupils. They highlighted a difficulty they are experiencing with the hot school meals programme. They actually have an on-site cook who can and does adapt each and every meal for every child. It is quite incredible what happens there. I would like to see them keep this arrangement in place. It ensures that the children have the right textures and meals. They are tailored to their needs. It also reduces significant waste.

The funding currently only covers food items. It means they would have to work with a company. That would cover food, wages, equipment, packaging, waste disposal and delivery costs. This is great for those schools that are able to avail of it. For St. Anne's, the parents have been in contact and I am sure the children would agree. I would love to see them keep their current arrangement in place if the funding could allow for that to happen, namely if the funding could be used to pay for the cook.

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