Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 27 June 2019
240. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the status of an application for the hot meals project by a school (details supplied); and when a decision will be made. [27318/19]
View answerAs part of Budget 2019, it was announced that DEASP would commence a pilot scheme from September 2019, providing Hot School Meals in 36 primary schools for an estimated 7,200 children at a cost of €1m for 2019 and €2.5m in 2020.
All 3,239 primary schools have been issued with an invitation to submit an expression of interest to participate in the pilot. An expression of interest has been received from the school concerned. All expressions of interest received will be considered and 36 schools will be selected to participate in the pilot. All schools who submitted an expression of interest to participate in the pilot will be contacted soon.
The selection of schools will be random, but will give regard to geographical spread, numbers enrolled, range of suppliers and the overall budget available for the pilot in 2019 and 2020 (€1m and €2.5 respectively).
