SWA - School Meals Scheme
Table of Contents
TERMS AND ADMINISTRATION OF THE SCHOOL MEALS SCHEME
TERMS AND ADMINISTRATION OF THE SCHOOL MEALS SCHEME
Background
The School Meals Programme operated by the Department of Social Protection provides funding towards provision of food services for disadvantaged school children through two schemes:
- The statutory Urban School Meals Scheme for primary schools
- The non-statutory School Meals (Local Projects) Scheme
Purpose of the School Meals Schemes
The aims of the schemes are to assist children who are unable by reason of lack of food to take full advantage of the education provided for them.
- Urban School Meals Scheme
The School Meals Scheme was originally introduced in 1914 for a two year period as a discretionary temporary measure in response to the Great Strike of 1913. The two year time limit was removed and control of the scheme was eventually transferred from the Minister for Local Government and Public Health to the Minister for Social Welfare in 1947.
Legislation
Section 273 to 279 of the Social Welfare (Consolidation) Act, 1981 enables County Borough Councils, Urban District Councils and Town Commissioners to make arrangements for the provision of meals for children attending National Schools within their areas and in certain cases outside their areas. There is no legal obligation on the local authorities to provide this service.
Dublin Corporation has operated this scheme since 1914.
At present, 38 Local Authorities are participating in the Urban School Meals Scheme. Of these, Dublin Corporation is by far the largest (catering for approximately 400 schools) and accounts for approximately 10% of the total expenditure on school meals.
Role of Department/Funding
This Department has no function in initiating school meals programmes in schools. The role of the Department of Social Protection (DSP) is confined to reimbursing Local Authorities and approving participation in the scheme. This involves liaison with the Local Authorities and the Department of Education and seeking Department of Finance approval for additional expenditure when necessary.
Local Authorities may recoup 50% of their expenditure on the provision of meals for eligible children only. Administration costs are covered in full by the Local Authorities. Supplementary Welfare Allowance (SWA) Section, DSP is responsible for the calculation of payments to the local authorities, the sanctioning of tenders and the approval of new schools applying to participate in the scheme.
School Meals in the Gaeltacht Areas
A School Meals scheme had also be provided to children attending National Schools in Gaeltacht areas. This scheme was introduced in 1930 and covered specific Gaeltacht areas in Cork, Donegal, Kerry and Mayo. This scheme has gradually discontinued and last operated in 1991. Schools that previously availed of funding under this scheme are now obtaining funding, where applicable, under the School Meals Local Projects Scheme (see below).
(ii) School Meals Scheme - Local Projects
The School Meals Local Projects Scheme provides funding directly to primary schools, secondary schools, local groups and voluntary organisations which operate their own school meals projects. Urban and rural schools and community based preschools can also apply. The main objective is to assist school meals projects operating outside the statutory Urban School Meals Scheme.
Projects must be targeted at areas of disadvantage or at children with special needs. Funding under this scheme is for food only, which must be of suitable quality and nutritional value, and prepared and consumed in an appropriate environment.
Funding will be provided only to existing projects that have shown ongoing viability. The viability of a project may be demonstrated by projects that are firmly established or recently established projects that have suitable voluntary or statutory backing.
The amount of funding allocated to a local project depends on the type and number of meals provided. The type and range of meals provided, as well as the method and logistics of supplying the meals, are decided by the individual local groups and schools that operate the projects.
The School Meals Programme is an important component of policies to aims to provide regular nutritious food to children to help improve their daily diet, to encourage school attendance and extra educational achievement by the children, particularly those from the most disadvantaged backgrounds.
Extension of School Meals (Local Projects) Scheme to preschools
In 2004 a decision was taken to extend the School Meals Programme to nursery schools that catered for disadvantaged preschool children. The funding is being made available to community based, not for profit, groups that provide preschool education (e.g. Montessori and similar type nursery schools) for disadvantaged children. The scheme does not apply to commercial projects. The purpose of funding is to assist disadvantaged children in gaining maximum benefit from preschool educational services.
Application form for the School Meals Local Projects Scheme
Download: Application form for the School Meals Local Projects Scheme in PDF
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