The extension of the hot school meals programme will support a further four local schools in Dublin Mid-West, a local TD has said. Deputy Emer Higgins has welcomed the announcement that four schools across Lucan and Clondalkin are among the 81 additional primary schools who will benefit from an extension of the Hot School Meals Programme run by the Department of Social Protection.
Deputy Higgins said, “This €3 million investment will see 81 additional DEIS schools invited to join the Hot School Meals Programme from January 2022 and I am delighted that four of those schools are in Dublin Mid-West. “The Schools include Lucan East Educate Together NS, St Bernadette’s Junior and Senior National Schools in Quarryvale and St Peter Apostle Senior National School in Neilstown,” said Deputy Higgins. “The Hot School Meals Programme is a vital resource for so many children and their families in Dublin Mid-West and ensures that these children are well-nourished during the school day, a factor which we know is so important for concentration, cognitive behaviour and school performance but can be a struggle for many families” said Deputy Higgins.
“We now have 55,000 pupils receiving hot schools meals nationally and I am delighted to see this programme now benefitting so many children in our local community. “The programme began in 2019 and the Minister has been gradually increasing its rollout,” added Deputy Higgins. “I know that a number of schools in Dublin Mid-West would still like to avail of this programme and I hope to see it further rolled out in the area to ensure that more pupils can have the benefit of a hot meal in the school day,” concluded Deputy Higgins.
