Hot meals scheme expanded to additional 109 schools in Cork 

The Hot Schools Meals Programme is being rolled out to 109 Cork primary schools from this month, after a significant expansion to the scheme. 

A spokesperson for the Department of Social Welfare confirmed that over 20,700 additional children in Cork will benefit from nutritious hot school meals following this expansion.

Schools to benefit include Carrigtwohill Community National School, Cork Educate Together National School, Presentation Convent and Upper Glanmire National School. 

The full list of schools in Cork which have been added to the programme is available here. 

Fine Gael Local Election Candidate for Cork City North East, Imelda Daly, welcomed the news, saying, that the provision of a hot meal every day will further support families throughout Ireland.

The Hot School Meals Programme was introduced in 2019 as a small pilot of 30 schools and has since grown significantly. 

Last year, Minister for Social Protection, Heather Humphreys signalled her intention to roll out the Hot School Meals Programme to all primary schools. 

As part of this significant expansion plan, all remaining primary schools were contacted and requested to submit an expression of interest form if their school is interested in commencing the provision of Hot Meals.

Applications for the Hot School Meals Programme were received from some 900 Primary Schools in respect of 150,000 children and these schools are now taking part in the Hot School Meals Programme.

Any remaining primary schools who have not yet joined the scheme can now express an interest to receive hot school meals.

“Cork schools that are currently not getting funding for hot school meals will now be able to express their interest in participating from September and I would strongly encourage them to engage in that process as soon as possible,” said Ms Daly. 

Cork South West TD Christopher O’Sullivan also welcomed the programme, saying that several schools in his constituency had now been added to it this month.

“It’s great to see the further rollout of this scheme. Providing lunches can be a hassle and a financial burden for many parents and this will come as a relief financially.

“Dietitians and health specialists have all have advocated for the roll out hot school meals as it benefits children’s physical and mental health and this is really important in this day and age.”