Seán Sherlock (Cork East, Labour)
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194. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth when the hot meals pilot in ELC commenced; the number of services that are currently benefitting from the pilot; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62620/22]

Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
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Following my announcement of the hot meals pilot scheme on the 22^ndof November, my Department are collaborating with Pobal to recruit nine services as pilot sites. Given that a large number of settings already provide this service, the aim of this pilot is to provide an in-depth, qualitative test of the logistics and impact of hot meal provision across other types of setting.

Additionally, this pilot will be testing the delivery of different meal options. These include:

- A breakfast or snack

- A breakfast or snack, plus a packed lunch to take home

- A hot meal or snack

The provision of healthy food in Early Years settings will have a positive impact on children’s health, well-being and development, as well as their social participation.

The roll-out will commence in Q1 of 2022, and results of the pilot scheme will inform decisions regarding a wider roll out. Additionally, the pilot will inform my Department’s ongoing work to develop a DEIS-type model for early learning and childcare, which aims to provide services with a proportionate mix of universal and targeted supports to support children and families accessing their services who are experiencing disadvantage.