Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Social Democrats)
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573. To ask the Minister for Social Protection if her attention has been drawn to the withdrawal of the provision of school lunches in a primary school (details supplied) in Dublin 11; if she will instruct her Department to intervene to ensure that funding is made available for this school to continue providing meals to children in a very disadvantaged area; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31067/17]

Regina Doherty (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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The school meals programme provides funding towards the provision of food to 1,460 schools and organisations benefiting over 200,000 children at a total cost of some €47.5 million in 2017. As part of Budget 2017, the funding for the scheme was substantially increased this year by an additional €5.5 million (13% over the previous year’s allocation) which will benefit over 50,000 children.

The school referred to by the Deputy has been funded for a breakfast and lunch based on the Department of Education and Skills enrolment figures to the end of the 2016/2017 academic year. It received €49,680 in total, which represents a small decrease on the previous year’s funding as pupil numbers had decreased. The school was notified of its allocation and is expected to manage within the funding provided. The Department is in contact with the Principal regarding this matter.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.