25 additional schools approved for Hot Meals Programme

Twenty-five Donegal schools have been approved for the Hot Meals Programme that will be rolled out from April 2024.

The announcement by the Minister for Social Protection, Heather Humphreys, that 900 extra schools are to be included in the initiative will see a total of 150,000 children at 1,400 schools benefitting from the Hot Meals Programme.

The programme was introduced in 2019 as a small pilot made up of 30 schools.

Welcoming the announcement, Donegal cabinet minister, Charlie McConalogue said: “This is great news for many schools in the county. The objective of the School Meals Programme is to provide regular, nutritious food to children to support them in taking full advantage of the education provided to them. The programme is an important component of policies to encourage school attendance and extra educational achievement.”

The Department of Social Protection provides funding to schools for the School Meals Programme. It is the responsibility of schools to choose their supplier in an open, fair, and transparent manner in accordance with national legislation and EU directives on procurement.

The Department of Social Protection will write to each of these schools to advise them on the next steps to allow them time to prepare, so that their pupils will be able to avail of hot meals from April 2024.

The list of Donegal schools approved for the programme is as follows: Ayr Hill NS Ramelton; Buncrana NS; Cashelshanaghan NS; Comhscoil SN; Gaelscoil Na Gceithre Maistri; Glenswilly NS; Inver NS; Moville NS; Moyle NS; Naomh Adhamhnain; Portlean NS; SN Baile Raighin; SN Fhionntra; SN Fothar; SN Gleann Coimhead; SN Mhin Teineadh De; SN Muire Gan Smal; SN Naomh Aonghus; SN Naomh Cholmcille; SN Naomh Naille; SN Trianta; Scoil Naomh Seosamh; St Francis NS; St Muras NS; St Patricks NS.

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