21 primary schools in Louth approved for Hot School Meals

21 extra primary schools in Louth have been approved for the Hot School Meals Programme, it was announced today by Minister for Social Protection, Heather Humphreys TD.

The Hot School Meals Programme was introduced in 2019 as a small pilot of 30 schools. The programme has grown significantly in recent years and all DEIS Primary Schools are now eligible to receive a Hot Meal.

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 seen as an important component of policies to encourage school attendance and extra educational achievement.

The 21 schools in Louth approved for the programme are: 

• Aston Village Educate Together National School
• Ballapousta NS
• Bellurgan NS
• Dromin NS
• Dromiskin Mixed NS
• Faughart Community National School
• Knockbridge Mixed NS
• Le Cheile Educate Together Ns
• S N Aonghusa
• S N Bhride
• S N Columcille
• S N Mhuire Na Trocaire
• S N Muire
• S N Naomh Fhionain
• S N Naomh Peadar
• S N Talamh Na Manach
• Scoil Bhride
• Scoil Naomh Fainche
• St Olivers NS
• St. Francis National School
• Walshestown NS

The Department of Social Protection provides the funding to schools for the School Meals Programme and 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 now write to each of these schools to advise them on the next steps in this regard to allow schools time to prepare so that their pupils will be able to avail of hot meals from April 2024.

Today’s announcement will bring the total number of schools receiving hot meals to 1,400 from April 2024.