Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

We wrote a second time to the approximately 1,000 schools that did not respond to us in the first call. Some 600 have come back and we will work with them.

We will continue to approach the remaining schools.

Obviously, I will need to secure more money in the budget this year to complete the roll-out of the programme. My plan is that all primary school children will have access to a hot lunch during the course of 2025. The programme is very important and is making such a difference to the children. Teachers think it is great. I visit lots of schools. Invariably, when I ask the children to put up their hand if they like the hot school meals, every hand is raised. The programme has made a difference. It is so important that young children, in particular, get a staple meal in the middle of the day. The schools I mentioned earlier, including the 600 that have come back to us, will come on stream in September. As I said, I will need to get money in the budget to finish the roll-out. We are nearly there.

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