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31 Jul Seven Mayo schools approved for hot meals programme

Posted at 08:09h in Uncategorized by
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Minister of State Alan Dillon has confirmed that seven primary schools across Mayo have been approved for the Hot School Meals Programme.

Minister Dillon expressed his delight at today’s news following Minister Heather Humphreys’ announcement that an additional 168 primary schools across every county will receive hot school meals from September 2024.

“I am delighted to see seven new schools in Mayo included in this vital programme, ensuring more children have access to nutritious meals,” he said.

The approved schools are:

  • Castlebar Primary School
  • Gaelscoil Raifteirí – Castlebar
  • St Josephs N S – Derrywash
  • St Patricks NS – Balla
  • Scoil Chomain Naofa – Roundfort
  • S N Naomh Colm Cille – Westport
  • Cloondaff N S – Glenhest

 

This initiative will benefit nearly 2,200 primary schools across the country. The Hot School Meals Programme has grown from a small pilot of just 30 schools to a nationwide programme, now providing nutritious hot meals in 2,200 primary schools across the country.

Minister Dillon commended Minister Heather Humphreys for her leadership and delivery of this program. The government’s ambition is to ensure that every primary school in Ireland is providing hot school meals by 2025.

Minister Dillon added, “I firmly believe the roll-out of hot school meals to every primary school in the country will be one of the lasting legacies of this Government.”

The Hot School Meals Programme has grown from a small pilot of 30 schools to a national programme now in 2,200 primary schools. Over 345,000 primary school children are now eligible to receive hot meals.

Minister Dillon stated, “The Department of Social Protection will now write to each of the 168 schools to advise them on the next steps in this regard to allow schools time to prepare so that their pupils will be able to avail of hot school meals from September 2024.”

Deputy Dillon also highlighted the positive impact of the programme, stating, “Research indicates that the provision of school meals results in improvements in school attendance, with evidence that providing children with food in school is making a difference to families in terms of money saved and, for some families, in time saved on food preparation.”