Niall Collins (Limerick County, Fianna Fail)
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The Hot School Meals Programme operated by the Department of Social Protection was introduced in 2019 and is being expanded to some 1,400 primary schools from April 2024. The objective of the scheme and the wider School Meals Programme is to provide regular, nutritious food to children to support them in taking full advantage of the education provided to them. Many Youthreach centres provide breakfast clubs and lunch clubs. A number of Youthreach Centres are now located in new Centres for Education and Training with access to a quality canteen services. Youthreach centres regularly have access to kitchen facilities as part of their programmes. Learners on the Youthreach programme can qualify for a weekly ETB training allowance as well as meal, travel and accommodation allowances. Training allowances for learners over 18 are linked to Social Welfare entitlements while learners under 18 may qualify for a weekly training allowance of €45, along with a meal allowance of €4 and a travel allowance which is related to the distance travelled. Some ETBs provide meals rather than meal allowances to learners. I will undertake to engage with Minister Humphreys on this matter.