I wish to ask about the free school meals programme. Some 148,800 pupils avail of this vital programme, which is very much supported by the good work of the Minister for Social Protection, Deputy Humphreys. However, there are areas of the country, including in my constituency, particularly in Youghal, where students do not have access to it in secondary schools or in some of the primary schools. Is the Government going to look at the further expansion of this scheme as a further cost-of-living measure? We know the positive benefits of the work that has been done by the Department recently in other areas of the country.

I thank the Deputy. I am pleased to say that as part of the cost-of-living measures, we are going to extend the hot school meals programme to all DEIS primary schools and all special needs schools. We are actively working on expanding it. It is so important that young children avail of a hot school meal, particularly in the middle of the day. We all know the benefits of that. It helps their educational attainment and it means they get a staple meal. Some who may not get it at home get that staple meal every day when they attend school. It is something I am very committed to and it is something the Deputy has raised with me on a number of occasions.