Tá an tAire Coimirce Sóisialaí, Heather Humphreys, ag déanamh athbhreithnithe ar chlár na mbéilí scoile. Tá an scéim an-tábhachtach do pháistí agus dá gcuid tuismitheoirí i scoileanna DEIS. Beidh an scéim seo ag tosú i chuid de na scoileanna nach bhfuil páirteach i DEIS san fhómhar. Ní raibh aon ardú ar na rátaí ó 2003 ach tá méadú suntasach tagtha ar na costais do bhéilí a ullmhú ón am sin. Iarraim ar an gCeannaire scríobh arís chuig an Aire, an Teachta Humphreys, ag impí uirthi na rátaí a ardú. Tá na comhlachtaí ag fágáil na scéime seo mar nach bhfuil siad in ann béilí a chur ar fáil ar na praghsanna atá ceadaithe.

The hot school meals has been a wonderful Government initiative over the years and has provided much-needed food and meals in schools, predominantly DEIS schools, for some time. We know the importance of nutrition for children and young people focusing in school and performing at their best. Budget 2023 provided €94.4 million for the hot school meals programme and the Government has recently approved an additional €14.5 million to allow access to the programme for all remaining DEIS schools from September 2023. I know the Minister is carrying out a review and evaluation of the hot school meals programme and hopefully a decision will be announced soon. I ask the Leader to write to the Minister for Social Protection, Deputy Humphreys, to ask her to expedite that review and provide an update on the possibility of increasing the rates for the hot school meals programme, which have not changed since 2003. The costs of preparing and providing nutritious meals have increased. The standards are the same in terms of the need to provide quality and nutritious meals but the costs have increased and companies are not bothering to tender for the provision of hot school meals as a result. The Government is investing in rolling out the programme but companies are not tendering to provide meals. I ask the Leader to contact the Minister in this regard.

I support Senator Kyne on the matter of school meals. I raised a Commencement matter before the House, and as I think other Senators did, and the results of this need to be dealt with as quickly as possible. As Senator Kyne has rightly said, people who provide the service are opting out. I was talking to some people providing that service. It is incredible. The reality is that they are not covered. I know people in some of our own towns who are providing the service from their local supermarket or whatever, and are doing a very good job. They are only doing it there to accommodate the schools and are barely breaking even with it.

I want to welcome the recent announcement by the Minister, Deputy McConalogue, on dog control and the new measures to the effect that there will be an extra 40 dog wardens and a doubling of the fines. This is quick action by a Minister who sees a difficulty. We have had a lot of talk for many years about this problem. I am disappointed with some who are saying this is not enough and will not work. It is a big improvement and a big step forward. We have had a public debate about it. As we move forward, I hope everybody will take responsibility for their dogs. The lack of responsibility sometimes by dog owners is shocking. We know accidents can happen and a dog can break away and unfortunately attack sheep. An attack on sheep is just an incredibly horrible thing to happen. It causes stress to the animals and distress to families and young people in families. It is one of the most horrific things that can happen. Unfortunately, sheep are not able to fight back in any shape or form and they become huge victims of the attack. This is good action by a Minister who really sees what needs to be done. As we move forward, I hope we will see fewer attacks on sheep. Hopefully we will get this legislation through as quickly as possible to protect the flock and not see animals completely destroyed by dogs. We also have to realise that dogs have to be kept under control and under watch all the time.