Barry Ward (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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103. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the position regarding the percentage of primary schools in the Dún Laoghaire constituency that are currently participating in the hot school meals programme or have started the process of providing this service in the school; the actions being taken to further expand this to all remaining primary schools in the area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59972/25]

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 would be extended to all remaining primary schools in 2025 meaning that approximately 3,200 schools and 550,000 children are now eligible for hot school meals in the 2025/2026 academic school year.

There is a total of 14 primary and special schools in Dún Laoghaire; eight of these schools are in receipt of the Hot School Meals Programme; five schools have not applied to date; and one school applied for and is awarded the lunch option. The list of schools is detailed below.

I trust this clarifies the matter.