asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will make a general statement on the provision of school meals in primary and post-primary day schools.

The role of my Department in relation to school meals is limited to the making of grants to certain local authorities as a contribution to the cost of any school meals schemes operated by them. County borough councils, urban district councils and town commissioners have statutory power to make arrangements for the provision of meals for children attending national schools in their districts or, in certain circumstances, outside their districts. In relation to national schools in specified Gaeltacht areas, the county councils concerned have similar power. Half of the cost, excluding administrative expenses, is recouped from my Department's Vote.

Can the Minister indicate why it is felt that children in Gaeltacht areas are more in need of school meals than children in adjoining non-Gaeltacht areas?

That is not the question on the Order Paper.

It arises out of the Minister's reply.

I do not see how it could.