Alleged fraud by school meals supplier

A PROBE is continuing into an alleged fraud by a supplier to the Department of Social and Family Affairs school meals programme.

The department became concerned late last year at the level of claims being submitted by the company which supplies meals to a large number of primary and second level schools.

It is believed that a sum of more than €750,000 could be involved in the alleged fraud, but it is not clear if the matter has been referred to gardaí at this stage.

“The Department of Social and Family Affairs can confirm that there is currently an ongoing investigation into allegations in relation to the operation of the School Meals Programme.

“Any allegations of fraud or abuse of the social welfare system are fully investigated by the department,” a spokesperson said.

“The department can not comment on individual cases of fraud or abuse until they have been successfully prosecuted through the courts,” she said.

The programme allows schools to provide hot meals to some students, and funding is targeted at schools in disadvantaged areas.

The meals are usually provided by outside suppliers – often private companies, charitable organisations or community groups – and the number of meals has to be verified by the school principal for payments.

It is understood that unusually high claims by the supplier in question, which did not tally with the figures supplied by schools, were raised late last year.

However, the department was unable to indicate when its probe into the matter is likely to be completed.

The aim of the scheme is to provide regular nutritious food to children who are unable, by reason of lack of food, to take full advantage of the education provided for them.

Funding for the programme has increased from €2 million in 2002 to €32m last year.