The expansion of the Hot School Meals programme will “improve school attendance” in Ireland, the Social Protection Minister has said.
The programme has today been expanded to 900 primary schools, meaning an additional 150,000 pupils will receive a ‘nutritious’ meal in school every day.
It was initially launched as a pilot programme in 2019 but is now benefitting 2,000 primary schools across the country.
On The Hard Shoulder today, Minister Heather Humphreys said the scheme's benefits are enormous.
“We did a review of the Hot School Meals programme and it said very clearly that it was better for a child’s educational attainment,” she said.
“It improves school attendance, it’s better for their well-being, and all in all, it’s a really good programme.
“It’s a nutritious dinner and some children, as we know, come to school without having a lot to eat.
“Everyone gets to sit down, nobody is singled out, they have their little chat and their food before going out to play with a full stomach.”
Children at a school canteen. Image: Johner Images / Alamy Stock PhotoMinister Humphreys said the scheme is ahead of schedule and it should now be expanded to all primary schools in Ireland by the end of 2025 – far earlier than their original 2030 timeline.
“I’ve been delighted we’ve been able to bring it forward much earlier than anticipated,” she said.
“It’s my intention to seek additional funding in budget 2025 so that all the remaining children that are going to primary school will have that option.
“We’re now inviting the remaining schools to come forward and apply to join the scheme.”
Budget 2025
Minister Humphreys outlined further plans for Budget 2025.
“It will focus on older people, carers, people with disabilities and working families," she said.
“What we want to do at the end of the day, as a Government, is help families and provide a better quality and standard of life.
“I’m satisfied that is what we will do again this year, the same as every other year.”
Minister Humphreys said she will prioritise the Hot School Meals program, extending child benefit, pension auto-enrolment, and increasing social welfare for sudden job loss in the remaining months of this Government term.
General Election
She said there’s still a lot of work to be done before an election should be called.
“There’s a lot of instability in the world and the Taoiseach has said, as has the other party leaders, that this Government will go its full term,” said Minister Humphreys.
“It took nearly six months to form this Government and then we had two years of Covid, so there’s a body of work that needs to be done.
“We want to get on with delivering on the programme for budget and we want to go the full term to deliver on the big issues.”
A General Election must be held in Ireland by March 22nd of next year.
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Main image: Minister for Social Protection Heather Humphreys arriving at Dublin Castle for a Cabinet meeting. Picture by: Sasko Lazarov / RollingNews.ie
