Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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651. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills her role in ensuring that primary and secondary schools have appropriate policies to manage and protect children who have food allergies; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5555/16]

Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick City, Labour)
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Under the provisions of the Education Act, 1998, the Board of Management is the body charged with the direct governance of a school.

It is a matter for each individual school to devise its own policies around the types of food that are permissible on the school premises and such policies should be driven by the needs and welfare of the pupils. In that regard, it is important that all schools request parents to ensure that the school is made aware of any medical condition suffered by any pupil attending.

Where the school is aware of potential difficulties that may arise as a consequence of a medical condition suffered by one or more pupils, it may be possible for the school management authority, working in conjunction with parents, teachers and children to put preventative measures in place to lessen the possibility of any difficulties arising or to ensure that, if a pupil suffers from an illness requiring medication, appropriate treatment is available. This is a matter for each individual school having regard to the specific circumstances concerned. There is no requirement on schools to report to my Department on such arrangements.