Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
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116. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills her views on a proposal on a national strategic response to food poverty among school children here; if she will work with the Department for Children and Youth Affairs on the priority matter (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46510/14]

Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick City, Labour)
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Under the National Policy Framework for Children and Young People - Better Outcomes, Brighter Futures, the Department of Social Protection is leading on the implementation of a multidimensional approach to tackling child poverty, including the issue of child food poverty, in conjunction with my Department, the Department of Children and Youth Affairs and other relevant Departments and agencies. It is my intention to engage with the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection and with other Ministerial colleagues to ensure that this important issue is progressed.

As the Deputy may be aware, access to the Department of Social Protection's School Meals Scheme is a key element of the DEIS School Support Programme and there is an ongoing engagement between my Department and that Department to ensure that all DEIS school who wish to avail of the School Meals scheme can do so. At the end of the last academic year, 97% of DEIS Band 1 primary schools and 96% of DEIS Band 2 primary schools were availing of the programme, which shows that the scheme is clearing targeting the most educationally disadvantaged pupils in the State.