More Schools in Cork to Benefit from Hot School Meals Expansion

More schools in Cork are set to benefit from a further expansion of the Hot School Meals Programme, Cork North West Fine Gael TD John Paul O’Shea has said.

An additional 131,700 children across 713 schools will have access to nutritious hot meals starting from today. This brings the total number of primary school children across the country are now eligible to receive a hot school meal every day to 475,000.

Deputy O’Shea said the allocation of additional schools in Cork is part of this major expansion of the Hot School Meals Programme announced by the Government. “The Programme, first established by Fine Gael in 2019, will now be availed of by 2,850 Primary Schools across the country. The Department of Social Protection will also be engaging with any primary schools not currently signed up, to encourage them to participate”.

Welcoming the expansion for schools in Deputy O’ Shea said: “I am extremely proud of the Hot School Meals Programme and the positive impact it has had in schools right across the country.

The new schools to benefit from Hot School Meals Programme in Cork include:

• Ballyvongane Mixed NS (Coachford)

• Kilcorney Mixed NS

• Castlealack NS

• Cloghoola Mixed NS (Millstreet)

• Macroom Convent NS

• Ballincarriga Mxd NS (Dunmanway)

• Shandrum National School (Newtownshandrum)

• Cloughduv NS

• SN Dhrom Athain (Dromahane)

• SN Baile Deasmumhan (Ballydesmond)

• Scoil Lachtain Naofa (Kilnamatrya)

• Clondrohid NS

• Ballinagree Mxd NS

• Scoil Abán Naofa (Ballyvourney)

• Dromagh Mixed NS

• Rylane NS

• Ath Treasna GNS (Newmarket)

• SN Caipin (Coppeen)

• SN Na Mona Fliche (Macroom)

• Dripsey NS

• Ovens NS

• SN Breandan Naofa (Rathcoole)

• SN Mhuire Mxd (Kiskeam)

• SN Fhursa (Lyre)

• SN Cnoc Na Croighe (Knocknagree)

• Derrinagree N S

• Newcestown NS

• Rathmore NS

• St Marys Central School (Enniskeane)

• Gael Scoil Thomais Daibhis (Mallow)

• Scoil Chuil Aodha Barr D Inse (Coolea)

“A hot school meal does wonders for our children in terms of their physical and mental health, as well as their educational output. It makes them happier and more productive, while also giving parents peace of mind that their children are being fed while at school. This is a programme that was set up by Fine Gael as a pilot programme of just 30 schools – and it has gone from strength to strength over the years. I look forward to working with the successful schools in Cork North West in rolling out this scheme for the benefit of their students”, concluded Deputy Of Shea