Expansion of Hot Meals scheme will bring 'peace of mind' to parents, says Cork TD

Up to 120 schools in Cork are to benefit from expansion of the Hot School Meals Programme.

The expansion, announced yesterday, will give an additional 131,700 children nationwide, across 713 schools, access to the hot meals.

The total number of primary school children now eligible across the country to receive a hot school meal every day is 475,000.

The programme, launched in 2019 as a pilot of just 30 schools, will now encompass 2,850 primary schools.

Fine Gael Cork North Central TD Colm Burke said that the allocation of additional schools in Cork is part of a major expansion of the scheme, to bring “peace of mind” to parents. 

“I am extremely proud of the Hot School Meals Programme and the positive impact it has had in schools right across the country,” said Mr Burke.

“A hot school meal does wonders for our children, in terms of their physical and mental health, as well as their educational output.

“It makes them happier and more productive, while also giving parents peace of mind that their children are being fed while at school. This is a programme that has gone from strength to strength over the years.”

Fianna Fáil Cork North West TD Aindrias Moynihan said that the expansion of the scheme is a “huge step forward” for families and schools across Cork.

“I’m delighted that 120 more schools in our county have been approved to begin receiving hot meals,” said Mr Moynihan.

“We know that a hot meal can make a real difference to a child’s ability to focus and participate fully in their school day.

“This programme supports not only nutrition and wellbeing, but also school attendance and educational outcomes.

“This is a huge step forward for schools and families across Cork.”