Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 24 October 2023
357. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding the expansion of the hot school meals programme to non-DEIS primary schools; how schools can register their interest for this programme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46247/23]
View answer358. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Social Protection if only DEIS schools are included in the 600 new meals programme outlined in Budget 2024. [46254/23]
View answer360. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will provide an update on the school meals expansion programme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46270/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 357, 358 and 360 together.
The School Meals Programme provides funding towards the provision of food services to some 1,700 schools and organisations benefitting 300,000 children. The objective of the programme is to provide regular, nutritious food to children to support them in taking full advantage of the education provided to them. The programme is an important component of policies to encourage school attendance and extra educational achievement.
Budget 2023 provided €94.4 million for the programme. In February, the Government approved an additional €14.5m to allow access to the Hot School Meals scheme for all remaining DEIS schools from September 2023. Budget 2024 has increased the funding by an extra €42.5m
Since my appointment as Minister for Social Protection, I have increased the number of schools with access to the Hot School Meal option from 37 to 1,100. I am committed to continuing to expand the School Meals Programme and building further on the significant extension of the programme that has taken place in recent years. In this regard, the roll out of the Hot School Meals to all remaining DEIS primary and Special schools began in September 2023, benefiting more than 60,000 children.
As part of significant plans to extend the Hot School Meals programme, all remaining primary schools were contacted and requested to submit an expression of interest form if their school is interested in commencing the provision of hot school meals. Expressions of interest forms were received from over 900 non-DEIS schools in respect of 150,000 children.
I was pleased as part of Budget 2024 to secure funding for the extension of the Hot School Meals programme next year to these 900 schools.
I trust this clarifies the matter.
