Seán Kyne (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I concur with the comments of Senators Ahearn and Carrigy on the role of the Minister, Deputy Coveney, and indeed all who have been involved in getting this over the line, in particular, as I said, the Minister, Deputy Coveney, the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs, and the Taoiseach, as well as the new British Prime Minister and those parties in Northern Ireland that have worked to support this.

I welcome the announcements last week on the cost-of-living measures, including the hot school meals programme being extended to all DEIS primary schools from September, benefiting 64,500 children, and the start of preparations for it to be extended to non-DEIS primary schools as well. These announcements from the Minister for Social Protection, Deputy Humphreys, were very welcome in terms of the cost of living. The importance of a hot school meal for those children who do not get that at home is to set them up for the day and encourage school attendance and extracurricular achievement. It is hugely important in that regard. Significant sums of money have been put into the programme over recent years. Budget 2020 provided €68.1 million, and additional funding for the programme for 2023 brings the total to €94 million, representing a 53% increase in the period since 2020.

One issue that has been raised for some time is the rates of payment for those who make and provide meals for the schools.They are not able to produce the required standard of meal with that allowance. Could the Leader write to the Minister, Deputy Humphreys? There has been a review and I ask that the Minister would increase the rate being provided for school meals. It is a very important and worthwhile scheme and it achieves a lot, especially for those who do not get the required level of nutrition at home. It is important that those providing the meals are able to do so at a cost that is of economical benefit.