Call on Minister Heather Humphreys to ensure schools receive their funding to allow continuation of hot school lunches - Cllr Paul Lawless
A Mayo start up business, established to provide hot school lunches to primary schools has not been paid by since August and has had to reduce staff hours as a result.
Aontú Cllr Paul Lawless, a candidate in the upcoming General Election says he received a call from the business operator who is providing lunches to some ten schools in Claremorris, Ballyhaunis area since the Summer.
Cllr Lawless says
“The business has not been paid yet, as the schools they provide lunches to have not been paid. The schools have not yet received their funding from government. Understandably, the company is running into difficulties with suppliers and staff and has already borne all the start-up costs”.
“This business is now in a very difficult position as it is a hugely costly business and is effectively operating without a revenue stream. The company has had to reduce staff hours because of this and is starting to run into difficulties with suppliers as well”
“I have written to the Minister in charge, Minister Heather Humphreys, outlining the situation and querying just when will primary schools in the Claremorris / Ballyhaunis area be funded for the delivery of the hot schools meals programme. “
“The Minister herself is on record saying the roll out of this programme is her biggest achievement so I would urge her to ensure the schools are paid so that the hard-working companies supplying the food are paid”.
