Dept Social Protection to engage with St Mary's Special School

Minister Heather Humphreys has asked officials of the Department of Social Protection to engage with St Mary's Special school in Navan on the issue of school meals.

"Officials have been in contact with St Mary’s who are considering a number of alternative arrangements including the engagement of an external supplier to provide the necessary catering, similar to other schools which do not have on-site kitchen facilities," according to a spokesperson for the Department of Social Protection.

"Minister Humphreys has asked her Department officials to continue to support St. Mary’s school management to ensure a smooth transition to any new arrangement."

Parents and staff at St Mary's had been devastated by a decision which will leave children without hot meals at lunchtime.

The Community Employment Scheme which provided the service to the school is being withdrawn on the instructions of the Department of Social Protection.

At one time, there were five workers on a CE scheme at the school, but there are currently just two, who provide the hot meals.

A spokesperson for the Department of Social Protection said that since 2001, schools have not participated in the CE programme, following the transfer of CE schools-related funding by Fás to the Department of Education at that time.

"Following the transfer of the related funding, schools could no longer become a CE scheme sponsor and CE participants working on CE schemes have been precluded from working directly or indirectly in the provision of services to schools. The Schools’ boards of management are generally aware of the relevant guidelines and the Department clarifies any queries that arise from time to time."

The spokesperson said the situation that has arisen in St Mary’s recently is unfortunate, but Department officials have continued to engage with the school to assist their management in addressing this issue.

"The Department has also been working with the CE sponsor since August 2020 to arrange for a gradual withdrawal of the two CE participants from St Mary’s school and, to ensure that funding continues until their agreed end-dates, October 2021 and April 2022. This phased approach has afforded St Mary’s school management a further opportunity to make the necessary alternative arrangements, in line with other schools.

"Under the School Meals Programme, St. Mary’s Special School receives annual funding of €23,995 for the provision of a breakfast and hot dinner for pupils in the school. This funding will remain in place so that pupils can continue to receive breakfast and hot dinners.

The situation at St Mary’s was brought to the attention of Minister Humphreys attention this week. The Minister is anxious to find a resolution and she has asked her officials to engage with the school."