Emer Higgins, TD for Dublin Mid West is proud to welcome a significant development in the Hot School Meals Programme. Minister for Social Protection, Heather Humphreys TD, has confirmed the extension of the programme to 900 additional primary schools nationwide, starting April 2024. This expansion will notably impact Dublin Mid West, with several local schools set to benefit from this initiative.
Higgins stated, “This is a great step towards ensuring every young student in our constituency has access to nutritious hot meals. The expansion from 30 to over 1,400 schools in the Hot School Meals Programme under Minister Humphreys’ tenure is commendable. It’s a game-changer for our children’s health and education.”
“All DEIS schools in our region are now participating in the Hot School Meals Programme, with additional schools also receiving approval. I am particularly pleased to see the inclusion of the following Dublin Mid West schools in the Hot School Meals Programme: Adamstown Castle Educate Together National School, Gaelscoil Chluain Dolcain, Gaelscoil Lir, Gaelscoil Na Camoige, Griffeen Valley Educate Together National School, Holy Family National School, Scoil Mhuire Girls’ National School, St Mary’s Boys National School Lucan, Lucan Community National School, Rathcoole Educate Together National School, Sacred Heart National School, St Thomas Junior National School”.
With this expansion, an additional 150,000 children across Ireland will enjoy hot, nutritious meals, aiding their learning and development. Minister Humphreys said “When I was appointed Minister for Social Protection in June 2020, there were 30 schools receiving Hot Meals. This week’s announcement means that from April next year there will be over 1,400 primary schools benefiting from Hot School Meals.”
“As Minister, I am absolutely determined to continue to expand the Hot School Meals Programme to every Primary School in Ireland. My ambition is that a child born in Ireland today will be guaranteed access to a Hot Meal by the time they start school”.
