Carol Nolan (Offaly, Independent)
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132. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the number of students in receipt of the school meals scheme in counties Offaly and Laois for each of the years 2020 to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6507/25]

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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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.

In Budget 2025, it was announced that the Hot School Meals Scheme will be extended to all remaining primary schools in 2025, meaning that approximately 3,700 schools and 682,000 children will be eligible for school meals in 2025.

The number of students who benefit from the School Meals Programme in counties Laois and Offaly since 2020 are listed in the tables below.

Children benefitting in Laois:

Children benefitting in Offaly

I trust this clarifies the matter.