Pearse Doherty (Donegal, Sinn Fein)
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290. To ask the Minister for Social Protection cad chuige nach bhfuil scoil i gcontae Dhún na nGall (sonraí curtha ar fáil) páirteach i Scéim na mBéilí Scoile; agus an ndéanfaidh sé ráiteas ina thaobh. [28472/16]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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The school meals programme provides funding towards the provision of food services to schools and organisations benefitting over 200,000 children at a total cost of €42 million in 2016. The objective of the scheme is to provide regular, nutritious food to children who are unable, due to lack of good quality food, to take full advantage of the education provided to them. Priority for new applications for funding has been given to schools which are part of the Department of Education and Skills initiative for disadvantaged schools “Delivering Equality of Opportunity in Schools” (DEIS) in line with the National Policy Framework for Children and Young People, Better Outcomes Brighter Futures.

The school referred to by the Deputy is not designated DEIS status and I regret that no provision for funding can be provided at this time. An extension to any scheme administered by my Department can only be considered in a budgetary context.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.