150,000 extra children to benefit from nutritious hot meals
Remaining schools can now apply to receive Hot School Meals from September
Fianna Fáil Senator Erin McGreehan has welcomed the expansion of free hot school meals to an additional 900 primary schools from later this month, with 17 Louth schools included in the expansion.
The further rollout of the Government’s Hot School Meals Programme will see 150,000 more students receive free nutritious hot meals during the school day. It will bring the total number of children benefiting from the scheme to 316,000.
In addition, any remaining primary schools who have not yet joined the programme can now express an interest to participate in the Programme with effect from September.
Senator McGreehan said: “I’m heartened to see the extension of this hugely important scheme providing free, hot, nutritious meals to pupils while at school.
“An additional 150,000 students will benefit due to the expansion, bringing the total number of pupils benefiting from a free hot school meal each school day to more than 300,000.”
The Louth Senator added: “The expansion of the Hot School Meals programme has been a priority for Fianna Fáil in Government and its expansion has been supported by the Department of Education under my Fianna Fáil colleague, Minister for Education Norma Foley.
“There are now 2,000 primary schools taking part in the scheme and I would encourage any school that had not previously signed up and are interested in doing so to apply. A new round of expressions of interest has been opened.”
