30 Wexford schools to get hot meals

By Dan Walsh

Children in 30 schools in Wexford are to benefit from a further extension to the Hot School meals Programme, said Deputy Paul Kehoe, who added; “Any remaining primary schools in Wexford who have not yet joined the scheme can now express an interest to participate in the Hot School Meals Programme with effect from September.

Deputy Kehoe said: “I am delighted that Taoiseach Simon Harris and Minister for Social Protection, Heather Humphreys TD, have announced this further support to schools, which means an additional 150,000 children will benefit from nutritious hot meals, with many of those in Wexford.

“The Hot School Meals Programme was introduced in 2019 as a small pilot of 30 schools. Minister Humphreys has grown the programme significantly in recent years and over 2,000 primary schools are now eligible to receive a hot meal with plans to include additional schools later this year.

“Last year, Minister Humphreys signalled her intention to rollout the Hot School Meals Programme to all primary schools,” recalled Deputy Kehoe, who added; “Wexford 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.”