Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 73: To ask the Minister for Education and Science his views on whether the insufficient provision of meals to children from disadvantaged areas under the school meals scheme is having an adverse effect on educational standards; if he has had discussions with the Department of Social and Family Affairs in regard to extending the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14354/04]

Noel Dempsey (Meath, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The school meals scheme is administered by my colleague the Minister for Social and Family Affairs. In March 2003, the Minister for Social and Family Affairs launched the school meals initiative that provided additional funding of €2 million for the scheme. Following on discussions between officials of my Department and those of the Department of Social and Family Affairs, over 200 schools participating in existing disadvantage programmes were invited to join the scheme in the 2003-04 school year. These included schools at post-primary as well as at primary level. Ongoing co-operation is taking place with the Department of Social and Family Affairs with a view to further expanding the number of schools participating in the scheme.