Emer Currie (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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484. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if special schools located in DEIS areas can provide a breakfast club through the EU school milk scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28529/25]

Emer Currie (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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485. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if a school (details supplied) are eligible to provide a breakfast club through the EU school milk scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28533/25]

Martin Heydon (Kildare South, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 484 and 485 together.

Funding for breakfast clubs falls under the remit of my colleague, the Minister for Social Protection, and I understand that milk is an option under the breakfast club for the school year 2024/2025.

Separately, the EU funded School Milk Scheme falls under the responsibility of my Department. The scheme is designed to inform healthy eating habits of children at an early age and support their nutritional requirements.

The EU School scheme is open to all educational establishments including pre-schools, primary and secondary schools.

Both the educational establishments and the children attending the schools participate in the EU scheme on a voluntary basis, the children through voluntary enrolment by a parent/guardian. The scheme is operated in Ireland by the National Dairy Council (NDC) through the Moo Crew Programme. The NDC engages directly with the schools regarding voluntary participation.

Under the School Milk Scheme a portion of fresh drinking milk (189ml approximately) is distributed to each participating child on a daily basis. As part of the mandatory EU Regulatory requirements, the Scheme must be supported by strong educational accompanying measures to educate children about the health and nutritional benefits of milk. The Scheme is required to be delivered in a collective educational setting.

The EU School Milk Scheme is currently implemented in Ireland under a six year EU School Scheme Strategy 2023-2029 approved by the European Commission. The scheme is funded annually by the European Union and is subject to a specific regulatory framework. Taking account of the scheme's requirements and associated controls, breakfast clubs do not form part of the EU School Milk Scheme Strategy in Ireland and therefore milk under the EU school scheme is not available to such breakfast clubs.

The records indicate that the School referenced by the Deputy is not a current participant in the EU School Milk Scheme. It is most welcome to join and may contact the NDC directly in order to facilitate its participation in the scheme as implemented under the Strategy. It is also open to the School to contact the Department of Social Protection with regard to matters concerning breakfast clubs.