Jennifer Murnane O'Connor (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I also thank the Minister for the hot school meals programme. It has been so beneficial to children families that have always been under pressure with their children going to school. It is an excellent scheme. We set up St Clare's Hospitality Kitchen in Graiguecullen, County Carlow. There is no funding there. We are feeding children. We are giving out food parcels. There are approximately 100 food parcels going out a week. There are families coming in for dinner in the evening. I know the Minister's commitment to putting funding into places where it is needed. Given the cost of living, I would ask that a once-off payment be given to those particular organisations, such as the soup kitchens and others that need it. They are in need of it because people are not able to keep donating and donating the whole time.

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