Frank Feighan (Sligo-Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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122. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if he plans to further roll out the school meals programme; if so, the way the programme will expand and develop in terms of school numbers; and if the roll out will be countrywide or regional. [10124/25]

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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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 3,200 schools and 550,000 children will be eligible for hot school meals in 2025.

My Department has contacted the remaining primary schools who have not yet joined the Hot School Meals Scheme asking them to submit expressions of interest if their school wishes to commence the provision of hot school meals.

Under the Programme for Government, I plan to commence the rollout of Hot School Meals to secondary schools over the lifetime of this Government.

I trust this clarifies the matter.