Joe O'Reilly (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Sometimes other interventions are much more appropriate and this programme is one of them that is very good.

A related and important measure, but one that is of secondary importance compared with the school meals programme, is the piloting of an idea in which the Taoiseach has a personal interest and which we need to develop further, namely, giving free books to students in schools rather than providing the social welfare support of the free book scheme. That should be examined. Those two interventions would have a major effect and potentially could have a great impact on education. To revert briefly to the school meals programme, it makes for nutritionally healthy and properly developed young people, gives them a quality of life, enhances their personal and holistic development and leaves them in a position to learn. Teachers throughout this country or any country would advise that the greatest obstacle to learning is children who come to school on an empty stomach and remain that way during the day and, in some instances, perhaps have only junk food. That is very sad. I appeal to the Leader to take this up as a serious project. This is the House where these issues should be properly aired. I ask the Leader to also take up the matter of the school book scheme.