Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 1 October 2024
289. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason an application by a school (details supplied) for the hot school meals programme was not successful; if the application will be re-examined to include the school; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38549/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Hot School Meals Programme has grown from a small pilot project to a nationwide programme now approved in 2,200 primary schools nationwide.
In April 2024, my Department contacted the remaining 1,000 primary schools, including the school referred to by the Deputy, who have not yet joined the Hot School Meals scheme, asking them if they wished to submit an expression of interest in commencing the provision of Hot School Meals. I can confirm that the school referred to has expressed an interest in joining the scheme.
As announced in Budget 2025, the Hot School Meals Scheme will be extended to all remaining primary schools in 2025. This announcement now means that in total, 3,200 schools and 550,000 children are now eligible for the Hot School Meals Scheme in 2025. The expansion of the Hot School Meals Scheme will increase the School Meals budget by just over €72m to an overall budget of €288m.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
