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Dáil
‹ An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business

School meals in Connemara

Summary

Deputy Ó Laoghaire raised the loss of school meals for 1,000 children in Connemara after a supplier withdrew, warning that the problem was spreading. The Taoiseach said he would discuss it with the Education and Social Protection Ministers to ensure meals continued for children who needed them.

Mar is eol don Taoiseach, bhí scéal ann i dtaobh míle leanbh i gConamara a chaill amach ar bhéilí scoile de bharr gur tharraing an comhlacht a bhí ag soláthar na mbéilí amach. The Taoiseach may be aware that in Connemara recently, 1,000 children lost their school meals because the provider ceased to provide them, citing financial pressures. This problem is spreading. It has become clear that there are problems with the school meal programme in the context of the cost-of-living crisis. The Taoiseach may have seen that we both received an email from St. Maries of the Isle, a school with children attending from homeless shelters such as Edel House. Some of these children have now lost their school meal because the providers have pulled out. It is clear that financial pressures from the cost-of-living crisis are undermining the delivery of the school meals programme. Obviously, this is no one's intention but it is a very serious problem. We cannot allow meals to be swiped away from the neediest. I urge the Taoiseach to ensure this is reviewed at the earliest juncture.

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Catherine Connolly An Leas-Cheann Comhairle Independent

We are over time. I call on the Taoiseach to respond.

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Labhróidh mé leis an Aire Oideachais agus leis an Aire Coimirce Sóisialaí chun an cheist seo a scrúdú agus réiteach a fháil. Tá sé ríthábhachtach go mbeadh leanaí na tíre in ann an tseirbhís seo a fháil. Tá sé práinneach. I will discuss this with the Minister for Social Protection and the Minister for Education in respect of the issues that arise when companies are in difficulty to see if we can ensure the continuation of the provision of meals for children who need them.

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