Peter Cleere (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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563. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the number of families in Kilkenny and Carlow currently availing of the free school meals scheme; the annual cost of this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37279/25]

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.

The number of children in Carlow and Kilkenny currently availing of the free school meals scheme and the annual cost of this is set out below.

I trust this clarifies the matter for you.