Laois Ministers welcome plans to roll-out school meals

Plans to roll-out the Hot School Meals Programme to every Primary School in Ireland were welcomed by Ministers in Laois.

Minister for Social Protection, Heather Humphreys has announced the planned phased roll out of the programme which will take a number of years. 

“When I was appointed Minister for Social Protection in June 2020, there were 30 schools receiving Hot Meals. Today there are almost 500 schools benefiting from the hot meals programme,” she said. 

“The expansion of the programme to all DEIS primary schools and special schools will mean by the end of this year, 1,000 schools will be receiving hot meals – that is real progress,” said Minister Humphries.  

“From 2024, we will start the roll-out of Hot Meals to all remaining primary schools. This will be done on a phased basis. The report recommends universal provision by 2030 but my ambition is to move faster,” she said. 

She said expressions of interest will be invited from schools in the coming weeks. 

“My ambition is that a child born in Ireland today will be guaranteed access to a Hot Meal by the time they start school,” she added.

Minister of State Sean Fleming welcomed the 'landmark' plans for the roll-out of the Hot School Meals Programme to every Primary School in Ireland.

“I believe providing nutritious meals to our children at school is about more than food. It helps a child make the most of their education and their childhood. It does wonders for our children’s wellbeing, their concentration, and their physical and mental health,” he  said. 

“School meal rates for providers are to be increased as well effective from 1st January 2023,” he added. 

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Minister Pippa Hackett also welcomed the planned roll-out.  

“I am delighted to see the announcement of plans to roll-out the hot school meals programme to every primary school in Ireland by 2030 or sooner.”

“Last February, this Government committed to extending this programme to all DEIS and Special Education Schools for the 2023/2024 school year and now we plan to go one step further by rolling out the programme to all Primary Schools,” she said. 

“A recent report has highlighted the hugely positive impact of the current hot school meals programme, not only on children’s educational outcomes but also their physical and mental well-being. The programme also makes a difference to families, both in terms of money and time saved. Today’s announcement is a win-win-win for school children, their families and their schools,” said Minister Hackett.

Laois Offaly Deputy, Charlie Flanagan also welcomed the plans. 

“School Meals have a hugely positive effect on children’s health and wellbeing, which was reaffirmed in a report published yesterday by my colleague, Minister for Social Protection, Heather Humphreys," said Deputy Flanagan.