James O'Connor (Cork East, Fianna Fail)
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289. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the position regarding inclusion of a school (details supplied) in the hot school meals programme for the coming school year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28292/24]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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The objective of the School Meals Programme is to provide regular, nutritious food to children to support them in taking full advantage of the education provided to them. The programme is an important component of policies to encourage school attendance and extra educational achievement. Following the expansion of the programme in recent years, some 2,600 schools and organisations, covering 443,000 children are now eligible for funding.

I am committed to continuing to expand the School Meals Programme and building further on the significant extension of the programme that has taken place in recent years. As part of this significant expansion plan, all remaining primary schools were contacted last year and requested to submit an expression of interest form if their school is interested in commencing the provision of hot school meals.

Expressions of interests were received from over 900 primary schools in respect of 150,000 children and late last year. My officials advise me that the school referred to by the Deputy has confirmed their expression of interest as part of that process. I am happy to confirm that the school is eligible to apply for funding for Hot School Meals for the 2024/2025 school year. Officials from my Department will contact the school by email shortly to advise them of the application process.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.