Dáil Éireann Debate, Monday - 9 September 2024
952. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of schools who applied for the hot school meals scheme under the expression of interest for the programme and did not get it; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34423/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe objective of the School Meals Programme is to provide regular, nutritious food to children to support them in taking full advantage of the education provided to them. The Programme is an important component of policies to encourage school attendance and extra educational achievement. Following the expansion of the Programme in recent years, some 2,723 schools and organisations, covering 472,000 children are now eligible for funding.
As part of this significant expansion plan, all remaining primary schools were contacted last year and requested to submit an expression of interest form if their school is interested in commencing the provision of hot school meals. Expressions of interests were received from over 900 primary schools in respect of 150,000 children and late last year these schools were invited to participate in the Hot School Meals Programme from 8th April 2024.
I have since announced details of a further 168 primary schools to be newly included in the Hot School Meals Programme from September. My Department has also contacted the remaining 1,000 primary schools, who have not yet joined the Hot School Meals scheme asking them to submit expressions of interest in commencing the provision of Hot School Meals. The responses will be reviewed with the aim of including more schools subject to available funding in Budget 2025.
