Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 9 February 2023
233. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth his plans to pilot the provision of a range of meal options to children, including the provision of hot meals in early learning settings; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6419/23]
View answerFollowing my announcement of the hot meals pilot scheme in November 2022, my Department have collaborated with Pobal to recruit nine services as pilot sites to examine the delivery of an enhanced food offer in sessional pre-school and part-time services. Given that a large number of settings including all full-day care services already provide this service, the aim of this pilot is to provide an in-depth, qualitative test of the logistics and impact of hot meal provision across other types of setting.
Additionally, this pilot will be testing the delivery of different meal options. These include:
- A breakfast or snack
- A breakfast or snack, plus a packed lunch to take home
- A hot meal or snack
The provision of healthy food in Early Years settings will have a positive impact on children’s health, well-being and development, as well as their social participation.
The roll-out has commenced in Q1 of 2023, and results of the pilot scheme will inform decisions regarding a wider roll out. Additionally, the pilot will inform my Department’s ongoing work to develop a DEIS-type model for early learning and childcare, which aims to provide services with a proportionate mix of universal and targeted supports to support children and families accessing their services who are experiencing disadvantage.
