A chara, – As a retired Deis school principal, I must take issue with another retired educator. On reading my old friend Anne McCluskey’s letter regarding school meals, I find myself in disagreement with her good self (“Takeaway school meals”, Letters, August 28th).
To use the term “takeaway meals” has negative connotations for what is an initiative of the highest value. Food poverty exists in our schools and not just in Deis schools. Even in schools in so-called “advantaged” areas, as distinct from so-called “disadvantaged” ones, there are children who are experiencing food poverty.
The school meals programme does a wonderful and valuable job in providing free, hot and nutritious lunches to thousands of children daily. It has provided this service since 2004. I strongly believe that this service should continue to be provided by the professional companies who are trained in food safety management and monitored constantly by the relevant food hygiene authorities.
As regards Ms McCluskey’s worries about “questionable recycling”, I can assure her that the reputable school lunch providers are dealing with waste in a most efficient and safe manner and are very mindful of the environment.
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These companies are set up equipped staffed and doing an excellent job. The cost of putting in canteens in every primary school and staffing them with trained people would be prohibitive. Many schools are struggling with lack of space issues at present. To find space for a canteen would be a huge problem for them. In rolling out this canteen idea, which has value, how many children would go hungry waiting on this new initiative to be put in place?
With the utmost respect to my former colleague, I must disagree with her views. – Yours, etc,
PAT BURKE WALSH,
Ballymoney,
Gorey,
Co Wexford.