Taoiseach pledges to intervene for Cork school over hot meals scheme

Taoiseach Micheál Martin has pledged to intervene in the case of a Cork special school – one which he had opened – where students can no longer avail of the Government’s hot school meals scheme.

Under the scheme, funded by the Department of Social Protection, all primary schools and special are eligible to receive hot meals for their students. 

However, some schools now cannot avail of the programme because of new procurement rules relating to health and safety.

According to new regulations, school employees can no longer handle meals, and those meals need to be prepared in a room that meets health and safety standards.

Opened in 1998 by then minister of education Micheál Martin, St Gabriel’s Special School in Bishopstown has 54 students, mostly aged four to 18, who have severe intellectual disabilities, autism, and complex needs.

Earlier this month, the school’s principal, David Thomas, told The Echo that the school had been informed by its supplier, Nenagh-based firm Fresh Today, that the new rules meant it was no longer feasible to supply the school.

Tony Mulcahy, a director of Fresh Today, said he was “absolutely gutted” that he could no longer supply a service to St Gabriel’s, but the new regulations made it impossible for his firm to continue supplying smaller schools.

Asked about the case at the opening of the two-day Fianna Fáil think-in at the Rochestown Park Hotel, Mr Martin told The Echo he had not been aware of the issue in the special school and would personally intervene in the case.

“When I was a minister, I established St Gabriel’s, I will follow that up,” he said.

“Every child should be entitled to what’s nationally provided, particularly the children of St Gabriel’s.” 

Speaking after the Taoiseach’s remarks, Mr Thomas said he was very happy to hear that Mr Martin was willing to intervene on behalf of St Gabriel’s and looked forward to meeting him.