Willie O'Dea (Limerick City, Fianna Fail)
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134. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the total number of schools in Limerick and the total number of schools in Clare that are now eligible to receive hot school meals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21539/25]

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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Following my announcement on the 11 April 2025, there are 2,850 primary schools now participating in the Hot School Meals Programme for the current academic school year. As announced in Budget 2025, Hot School Meals will be extended to all remaining primary schools in 2025 meaning that there will be 3,200 eligible schools in respect of 550,000 children from September 2025.

The total number of schools eligible for Hot School Meals in County Limerick is 130 and 102 in County Clare. I would encourage any schools that are not yet part of the scheme to submit an application to my Department.

Peter Cleere (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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135. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the total number of schools in Kilkenny, and Carlow, that are now eligible to receive hot school meals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21379/25]

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.

Following my announcement on the 11 April 2025, there are 2,850 primary schools now participating in the Hot School Meals Programme for the current academic school year. As announced in Budget 2025, Hot School Meals will be extended to all remaining primary schools in 2025 meaning that there will be 3,200 eligible schools in respect of 550,000 children from September 2025.

The total number of schools eligible for Hot School Meals in County Kilkenny is 72 and there are 43 in County Carlow.

Any remaining primary schools in Counties Kilkenny and Carlow who have yet to express an interest, will be eligible to join the programme from September 2025.