Minister Martin Heydon, TD for Kildare South, has welcomed news that an additional 3 schools in Kildare are to receive hot school meals from September, adding to the already 19 schools across Kildare who are currently availing of the scheme.
Minister Heydon said the news from Minister Heather Humphreys’ department was a great boost to pupils and their parents ahead of the next school term.
Across the country, over 345,000 primary school children are now eligible to receive hot school meals under the scheme which was set up by Fine Gael in 2019.
Speaking following the announcement, Minister Heydon said, “The programme forms part of Ireland’s commitment under the European Child Guarantee to give all children access to a range of key services, including healthcare and nutrition. It is a great scheme and is very beneficial for primary school children here in Kildare.”
“It was initially introduced by Fine Gael Minister Regina Doherty in 2019 as a pilot measure to 30 schools and now under Minister Heather Humphreys the scheme stretches to 2,200 primary schools across the country. This shows the commitment from my party, Fine Gael, to ensure every child has the best start in life.
“And we won’t stop. Today’s announcement brings to 22 the number of schools availing of the scheme in Kildare but I want more schools across Kildare to have the programme extended to them as soon as possible and working with Minister Humphreys, we will make that happen.
“It is a great success and will be welcomed by pupils, parents and teachers,” Minister Heydon said.
Minister Humphreys said: “My ambition now is to finish the job as part of this year’s Budget and ensure that every primary school in Ireland is providing hot school meals in 2025.
“I firmly believe the roll-out of hot school meals to every primary school in the country will be one of the lasting legacies of this Government.”