A DONEGAL senator has
called for free breakfasts and lunches for all
schoolchildren as figures show that 14% of children
go to school hungry.
Sinn Féin's education spokesperson, Senator Pearse
Doherty said the current provision of school meals
was too ad hoc and was mainly funded by charities.
"Some schools can only provide breakfasts two or
three days a week while others do not provide any
food.
“This is an issue of food poverty and the Government
is abdicating its responsibilities and leaving it up
to the charities to intervene," he said.
Combat Poverty Agency figures reveal that 14% of
children in the State go to school on empty stomachs
every day.
“There also needs to be a wholesale change in what
our schoolchildren eat. Such a school breakfast and
lunch programme, as proposed by Sinn Féin, would
ensure that children eat healthy nutritious food
daily instead of resorting to nutrient-poor and
energy-dense food such as crisps, biscuits, cakes
and fizzy drinks."
Senator Doherty said children’s attention levels and
ability to learn would improve significantly with
healthier food.
"In order to facilitate the breakfast and lunch
programme, schools must be properly resourced with
sufficient numbers of catering assistants and no new
school should be constructed without adequate
kitchen and canteen facilities," he said. |
