Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Currently, DEIS secondary schools have access to the school meals programme. I wanted to start with primary schools. As soon as that roll-out is finished, I hope the Minister for Social Protection in the next Government, whoever that may be, will start to roll out the provision to all secondary schools as well. It is the right thing to do. I have been absolutely committed to the school meals programme since I came into the Department. I am delighted the roll-out will soon be finished in primary schools. I always felt that teenagers are probably slightly better able to fend for themselves than the younger children in primary school. That is why I wanted to start with primary schools. I hope the provision will eventually move its way on to secondary schools that are not in the DEIS scheme.

See this speech in context