Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 22 October 2024
522. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Social Protection the current expenditure on the school meals holiday hunger programme; the number of schools currently partaking in the scheme; the full-year cost of doubling the number of schools in the scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43064/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe school meals programme currently solely operates for 36 weeks of the school year in respect of primary schools and 33 weeks of the school year in respect of post primary schools.
As announced in Budget 2025, it is planned to commence in Summer 2025, a Holiday Hunger pilot project which will be implemented by utilising my Department's School Meals Programme and the Department of Education’s Summer Programme.
This could support up to 40,000 children at a full year cost of €1.3 million. As this programme is a pilot, it will be reviewed in the 3rd quarter of 2025.
I trust this clarifies the matter.
