Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent)
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116. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection what engagement his Department had with the Department of Education in relation to additional expenses being incurred by island schools in the delivery of the school meals programme, whereby island schools are required to fund the transport of meals to the island and from the quay to the school; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14534/25]

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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The objective of the School Meals Programme is to provide regular, nutritious food to children to support them in taking full advantage of the education provided to them. The programme is an important component of policies to encourage school attendance and extra educational achievement.Funding under the School Meals Programme can be provided for breakfast, snack, cold lunch, dinner, hot school meals and after-school clubs and is based on a maximum rate per child per day, depending on the type of meal being provided.The Department provides the funding for the meals directly to the school. Funding under this programme is solely for food. There is no provision for transport costs as they are the responsibility of the supplier. But I can assure the Deputy that as Minister for Rural, Community Development and the Gaeltacht, the Islands are very important to me. I will engage with officials in both Departments on this issue.If the school referred to by the Deputy has any questions in relation to this matter, they can contact officials in my department at school.meals@welfare.ie. They will advise them of the meal options available to them and assist with any queries they may have.I trust this clarifies the matter.