The objective of the School Meals 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. Following the expansion of the Programme in recent years, some 2,600 schools and organisations, covering 443,000 children are now eligible for funding.
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. As part of this significant expansion plan, all remaining primary schools were contacted last year and requested to submit an expression of interest form if their school is interested in commencing the provision of hot school meals.
Expressions of interests were received from over 900 primary schools in respect of 150,000 children and late last year these schools were invited to participate in the Hot School Meals Programme from 8th April 2024.
Earlier this week, I launched a new expression of interest round to encourage all remaining primary schools to participate in the scheme.
In relation to schools located in Kerry, please see a breakdown below in tabular form as requested.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
Tabular Statements Below:
Table 1: There are 43 new schools included in the latest round of hot meals. List provided below listing dates on which all schools were approved for the programme
|
Dates schools were invited to Hot Meals Scheme
|
No. of Schools
|
|
Sep-19
|
1
|
|
Jan-21
|
2
|
|
Jan-22
|
2
|
|
Sep-22
|
15
|
|
Sep-23
|
20
|
|
Apr-24
|
43
|
|
Total
|
83
|
Table 2: The number of schools that expressed an interest in the programme in the most recent call
|
No. of Schools who expressed a late interest
|
No. of Schools
|
|
Following EOI Deadline
|
12
|
Table 3: The number of schools that remain outside the programme
|
No. of Schools who haven't submitted any interest to date
|
40
|
|
|
|
Table 4: A list of all schools in County Kerry now availing of hot meals
|
School Roll No.
|
Component Organisation Name
|
No. Of Children
|
|
02418V
|
Knockaderry Farranfore National School
|
50
|
|
04062S
|
Listowel Presentation Primary
|
186
|
|
05348S
|
Tahilla Community National School
|
25
|
|
07841L
|
Kilgobnet N S
|
78
|
|
08251S
|
Scoil Naomh Micheal
|
69
|
|
08687J
|
S N Muire Gan Smal
|
36
|
|
09209B
|
Castledrum N S
|
108
|
|
09782I
|
Ballymacelligott 1 N S
|
21
|
|
10050U
|
Scoil Bhríde
|
114
|
|
10501E
|
Scoil Easa Dhuibhe
|
59
|
|
10957B
|
S N Mhuire De Lourdes
|
98
|
|
11067T
|
S N Naomh Brid
|
179
|
|
11405N
|
Faha National School
|
225
|
|
11419B
|
Scoil Bhreanainn
|
92
|
|
12820H
|
Scoil Realt Na Mara
|
141
|
|
12875J
|
Gaelscoil Naomh Séamas
|
39
|
|
13530D
|
Scoil Mhuire
|
401
|
|
13540G
|
Murhur N S
|
74
|
|
14002G
|
Knockaclarig Mxd N S
|
46
|
|
14366V
|
Loughfouder N S
|
22
|
|
14952L
|
Muire Gan Smal
|
113
|
|
14998M
|
Lyre A Crompane N S
|
18
|
|
15878H
|
Derryquay Mxd N S
|
45
|
|
15945T
|
Firies Mxd N S
|
259
|
|
15978L
|
Curraheen Mxd N S
|
46
|
|
16871V
|
S N An Chroi Naofa
|
345
|
|
16898S
|
S N Breandan Naofa
|
215
|
|
16917T
|
Naomh Padraig Measc
|
186
|
|
17161S
|
Kiltallagh N S
|
24
|
|
17349N
|
S N An Leana Mhoir
|
15
|
|
17646T
|
S N Uaimh Bhreanainn
|
197
|
|
17710C
|
S N An Chuilleanaig
|
181
|
|
17744T
|
S N Gniomh Go Leith B
|
118
|
|
17915U
|
Freastogail Mhuire Mxd
|
51
|
|
18049G
|
Scoil Mhuire Na Mainistreach
|
193
|
|
18084I
|
Scoil Mhuire Gan Smal
|
26
|
|
18214S
|
S.n. Cill Conla
|
39
|
|
18233W
|
St Johns Parochial School
|
80
|
|
18247K
|
S N Mhuire Na Mbraithre
|
427
|
|
18283O
|
Scoil Mhuire
|
42
|
|
18325E
|
Naomh Charthaigh
|
48
|
|
18414D
|
S N Gleann Beithe
|
97
|
|
18702I
|
Spa National School
|
224
|
|
18705O
|
Tarbert National School
|
137
|
|
18832V
|
Castlemaine N S
|
108
|
|
19304B
|
S N Cillin Liath
|
37
|
|
19376D
|
St Itas & St Josephs Ns
|
153
|
|
19384C
|
Ardfert Central N S
|
215
|
|
19483E
|
S N Dar Earca
|
53
|
|
19487M
|
Holy Cross Primary School
|
382
|
|
19492F
|
S N Oilibhear Naofa
|
58
|
|
19536W
|
Holy Family
|
278
|
|
19547E
|
St Francis Special Sch
|
62
|
|
19548G
|
Nano Nagle N School
|
90
|
|
19631Q
|
Gaelscoil Mhic Easmainn
|
403
|
|
19659P
|
St Brendans N S
|
50
|
|
19745I
|
Scartaglin New Central School
|
129
|
|
19846O
|
Realt Na Maidne
|
169
|
|
19917L
|
Gaelscoil Naomh Aogain
|
177
|
|
19941I
|
Gaelscoil Faithleann
|
245
|
|
19957A
|
Dromclough N S
|
208
|
|
20013U
|
Gaelscoil Lios Tuathail
|
122
|
|
20112W
|
Caherciveen N S
|
174
|
|
20229U
|
Nagle Rice Primary School
|
370
|
|
20478S
|
Ballyduff National School
|
109
|
