Peadar Tóibín (Meath West, Aontú)
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569. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the measures her Department has put in place to ensure that school leaders and boards of management are not required to undertake significant administrative responsibilities, such as the establishment of school meal programmes during the summer break; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33841/25]

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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On the 13th February 2025 the Minister for Education and Youth Helen McEntee and Minister of State for Special Education and Inclusion Michael Moynihan announced details of the 2025 Summer Programme, and encouraged schools to participate. This programme was first established in 2021.

All schools have an opportunity to run a programme over the summer months for children with complex special educational needs and those at greatest risk of educational disadvantage, so that they can be supported, nurtured and encouraged to continue to engage in a fun and inclusive educational setting.

This year, a Holiday Hunger pilot project will be implemented by utilising the Department of Social Protection’s School Meals Programme and the Department of Education’s Summer Programme. Schools eligible for the School Meals programme will be able to make meals available for the Summer Programme.

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.

Schools have a choice if they want to make meals available for the Summer Programme it is not compulsory. Over 900 schools have applied supporting over 68,000 children.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.