Noel Rock (Dublin North West, Fine Gael)
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164. To ask the Minister for Social Protection the criteria which non-DEIS schools must meet in order to receive funding for the provision of breakfast clubs in non-DEIS schools; the number of non-DEIS schools that have applied to date; the number of non-DEIS schools that have been successful; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2483/17]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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The school meals programme provides funding towards the provision of food to schools and organisations benefitting over 200,000 children at a total cost of €42 million in 2016. As part of Budget 2017, I announced an additional €5.7 million for school meals which will benefit over 50,000 children.

From September 2016 additional funding is being provided to DEIS schools already participating in the scheme to provide breakfast and lunch to pupils. Also, some 17 new DEIS schools have joined the scheme for the current academic year and a further 8 have expressed an interest in joining.

The additional funding allocated in Budget 2017 makes some provision towards the extension of the scheme to breakfast clubs in non-DEIS schools from September 2017. This is the first time in many years that increased payments will be provided to schools outside of DEIS.

Officials in my Department are engaging with colleagues in the Department of Education and Skills regarding options for the provision of the additional funding to both DEIS and non-DEIS schools for the next school year, commencing in September 2017. Priority will be provided to those schools where there is most need and they will be contacted by the Department inviting them to join the school meals scheme.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy. If you require any further assistance with this matter please do not hesitate to contact Philip in my office.