Alan Farrell (Dublin Fingal, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Taoiseach for his response. I have discussed this matter with the Taoiseach and other members of the Government in the recent past. I am always pleased to hear he is cognisant that listening to children is extremely important but figuring out how to turn that into policy is just as important and, therefore, it is encouraging to hear that, and what the Government does in the forthcoming budget will be crucial to improving childhood poverty rates.

One area I will focus on is the school meals programme, which is important. Year after year, academic report after international example, we brought it in and I believe it has been extremely successful. However, I am concerned to hear there has been pushback where some schools in certain parts of the country do not wish to bring it in. Perhaps they consider it is too much of a burden. I am not sure. However, it is important that, as Head of the Government, the Taoiseach looks at this because it is an important aid to access to education and also to support children who are on the lowest rung when it comes to eating standards.

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