Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 16 July 2026
384. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of school children who will be in receipt of hot meals from the start of the next school year, by county, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54503/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraSchools apply annually for School Meals funding. All 3,200 primary schools and 550,000 children are eligible for the Hot School Meals Programme since September 2025. The Hot School Meals Programme is not mandatory.
Schools submit their application for funding after they have procured their school meal supplier. The Schools Procurement Unit under the Department of Education and Youth, provides guidance to schools for all procurements including the School Meals Programme.
The 2026/2027 academic year starts at the end of August/beginning of September 2026. In the main applications for funding are received from September to December.
The statistics below are for the 2025/26 academic year, of schools who availed of the Hot School Meals Programme. 203 of these schools opted for the cold lunch.
