Louth school ‘hugely concerned’ amid risk of losing ‘vital service’

A school in County Louth is “hugely concerned” amid the risk of losing a vital service, the Dáil has heard.

Louth Sinn Féin TD Joanna Byrne spoke on the subject during a recent ‘Taoiseach’s Questions Session’.

Deputy Byrne said: “I would like the Government to urgently address a serious situation facing a primary school in my constituency that has the potential to impact hundreds of children and families.

“Despite providing the first breakfast club of its kind in the State, St. Paul's National School is hugely concerned that because it does not fit the new model for school meals, it is at risk of losing this vital service.

“Its funding is in limbo. It has sought clarity from the Department to no avail. I have raised this privately with the Minister, Deputy Calleary, and have not yet received a response.”

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She went on to outline the importance of the service to the school and the local community.

“This school is at the heart of a proud community in Drogheda that has felt the brunt of organised crime feuds.

“Its breakfast club, school meals and canteen are lifeline to many. In 2016, the Government clearly agreed with this when its new Bill rightly ensured that fully fitted kitchens and dining spaces were included in the plans.

“Its model, which was lauded as best practice for school meals at the time by Fianna Fáil Ministers, must now be facilitated within the new hot school meals programme.

“The funding must be provided without delay and, more importantly, the school needs to be given clarity.”

Deputy Bryne concluded by calling on the Minister for Social Protection, Dara Calleary, to visit the school and address their concerns.

In response, Taoiseach Micheál Martin said he was not familiar with the specific case of St. Paul’s.

He continued: “Obviously, the Government has funded the building very well. The hot school meals programme has been rolled out very quickly and effectively on many fronts.

“There is a lot of debate around improving nutrition. However, fundamentally over the last three years, it has been rolled out at considerable pace across the length and breadth of the country.

“I will talk to the Minister, Deputy Calleary, in respect of the issue the Deputy has raised. The Departments of Education and Social Protection can reflect on whether there is flexibility in how the allocation, which every school gets, is spent.”

He concluded by saying he would come back to Deputy Byrne on the issue.