Over 30 more schools to get hot meals

Over 2,000 schools now eligible for funding since scheme first introduced.

More than 30 more local primary schools are to benefit from the rollout of Hot School Meals programme.

The Hot School Meals Programme has grown from 30 schools to over 2,000 now eligible for funding since the scheme was first introduced in 2019.

The latest announcement has seen 900 primary schools across every county added to the list with all remaining invited to submit an Expression of Interest to join the programme.

“I want to see every primary school child in the country receiving a hot meal in 2025,” said Minister for Social Protection, Heather Humphreys, in making the announcement on Monday afternoon.

The announcement means an additional 150,000 children will benefit from nutritious Hot Meals.

“When I was appointed Minister for Social Protection in June 2020, there were 30 schools receiving Hot Meals. Today’s announcement means that from today there are over 2,000 Primary Schools able to benefit from Hot School Meals. Every school that submitted an Expression of Interest has been brought onto the scheme.”

She said that some schools who had not signed up previously are now interested in coming on board. “I delighted to hear this, so I am opening a new round of Expressions of Interest to allow us to bring hot School meals to these schools.

“My ambition is that every primary school child in the country will be receiving a hot meal in 2025. This is well ahead of our original target to make Hot School Meals universal in Primary Schools by 2030.”

Last year, Minister Humphreys signalled her intention to roll out the Hot School Meals Programme to all Primary Schools.

Applications for the Hot School Meals Programme were received from some 900 Primary Schools in respect of 150,000 children.

The Department of Social Protection provides the funding to schools for the School Meals Programme, and it is the responsibility of each school to choose their supplier in an open, fair and transparent manner in accordance with national legislation and EU directives on procurement.

The Schools in Cavan to benefit are:

1. S N Cruabanai

2. Killeshandra National School (C Of I)

3. Ballyconell Central NS

4. Cavan 1 NS

5. Dromaili SN

6. Darley NS

7. Searcog I NS

8. Killygarry NS

9. Killinkere NS

10. Virginia Mxd NS

11. Ballyconnell Mxd NS

12. Scoil Naomh Brid

13. S N Tamhnach Dhuibh

14. S N Naomh Maodhog

15. Baile Na Mona

16. S N Doire Na Ceise

17. Cnoc An Teampaill

18. S N Maodhog

19. SN Mhuire Boys Senior School

20. S N Padraig

21. Aughadreena National School

22. S N Leitir

23. S N Lathrach

24. S N Carraig A Bruis

25. Drumkilly NS

26. Kilmore Central NS

27. Ballynarry NS

28. Crosskeys Central NS

29. St Patrick's

30. Crosserlough NS

31. St Killian's NS

32. S N Aodhain Naofa