Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 1 October 2024
319. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Social Protection the schools in County Cork that submitted an expression of interest to participate in the hot school meals programme; which schools were selected; which schools were not selected; the criteria for selection; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39149/24]
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.
Currently there are 197 primary schools in Cork eligible for Hot School Meals.
In April 2024, my Department contacted the remaining 1,000 primary schools, who have not yet joined the Hot School Meals programme, asking them if they wished to submit an expression of interest in commencing the provision of Hot School Meals. Out of these 1,000 schools, 103 schools in Cork submitted an expression of interest.
My Department is currently collating the responses received under this year's Expression of Interest process with the aim of including more schools, subject to available funding in Budget 2025.
No school has been refused access to the programme to date if they received and replied to an Expression of Interest request from my Department.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
