Alan Dillon (Mayo, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister for her response on the hot school meals programme. I compliment her on its expansion. Back in 2019, only 30 schools were involved in a small pilot. Since she took up the ministerial position in June 2020, more than 1,600 schools are availing of it so we are making real progress on this. I also welcome that last December more than 34 schools in County Mayo were added to the hot school meals programme, which is important. I will bring the Minister's attention to two schools in my local area, Castlebar Primary School and St. Joseph's National School, Derrywash. They are anxious to be included in the programme, like many others. Like other Deputies, I am anxious to know when the call for expressions of interest will reopen in 2024 because a lot of schools have contacted us. They know the benefits of this, certainly in school attendance and additional educational achievement. The budgetary allocation is testament that this Government wants to see all schools participating by 2030.

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