Coeliac Society Of Ireland

Lobbying Organisation Coeliac Society Of Ireland

Date published 30 Apr, 2024

Relevant Matter Public policy or programme

Public Policy Area Social Protection

Period 1 Jan, 2024 to 30 Apr, 2024

Specific Details School Meals Programme

Intended results End the current discriminate against coeliac and gluten intolerant children with the roll out of the School Meals Programme in Sept 2023. Immediate action to make it compulsory that schools participating in the Programme cater to the needs of coeliac children where there is a demand for it. The Government has a duty to ensure that all children are treated equally and fairly, and that no child is left behind or excluded from the benefits of the Programme. Coeliac Society is ready to support the DEASP and you with this information tool and to discuss solutions to ensure that all children can enjoy their school meals without fear or stigma.

Name of person primarily responsible for lobbying on this activity Gill Brennan

Did any Designated Public Official(DPO) or former Designated Public Official(DPO) carry out lobbying activities on your behalf in relation to this return? You must include yourself, and answer Yes, if you are a current DPO or a DPO at any time in the past. (What is a Designated Public Official?) No

Did you manage or direct a grassroots campaign? No

Was this lobbying done on behalf of a client? No

Lobbying activity

The following activities occurred for this specific Subject Matter Area.

Meeting (1)

Meeting held with Deputies Emer Higgins and Fergus O'Down on 31st Jan 2024 to discuss this issue and how it might be rectified. It was decided to write to SafeFood directly as it was they who designed the guidelines for the provision of the School Meals Programme. SafeFood have been helpful and engaged as as result with the Society on this matter.

Designated public officials lobbied

The following DPOs were lobbied during this return period on this specific Subject Matter Area. These DPOs were involved in at least one of the Lobbying Activities listed above, but not necessarily all of them. As returns are specific to a Subject Matter Area the above Lobbying Activities may be associated with multiple returns.

Fergus O'Dowd TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Emer Higgins TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)