I raise an important issue at St. Mary's Special School in Navan, County Meath, which is attended by 80 kids with mild to severe needs. Parents have been told that, from 1 September, hot meals will no longer be provided. This service has been in place for the last sixteen years. The community employment, CE, scheme is no longer providing staff, at the direction of the Department of Social Protection. At this school, the complex functional needs of kids are addressed. St. Mary's is a fantastic school and the staff are excellent. However, this is not just about the provision of a free meal. There is so much more to it. They learn to set the table, use a knife and fork, manners at the table and cleaning up afterwards. The school should be treated the same as a DEIS school.

This decision is shocking and hits the most vulnerable in society. It is an easy target once again. This impacts children right across County Meath. I ask the Tánaiste to get in touch with the Department of Social Protection and get this decision reversed.

I thank the Deputy for raising this important issue. I am not familiar with the details but I will inform the Minister, Deputy Humphreys, that the matter was raised on the floor of the Dáil and ask her to communicate with the Deputy directly.