Thirty-four Mayo schools approved for hot meals programme
THIRTY-FOUR primary schools across Mayo have been approved for the hot school meals programme.
Deputy Alan Dillon has welcomed today’s announcement by Minister for Social Protection, Heather Humphreys, that 900 primary schools nationally have been approved for the programme. This means an additional 150,000 children will benefit from nutritious hot meals next year.
Deputy Dillon said he was delighted that the programme has now been extended to 34 primary schools across Mayo, a significant increase from just five north Mayo schools in 2021.
Deputy Dillon added: “I am delighted that so many Mayo schools submitted their expressions of interest for participation in the programme. Research indicates that the provision of school meals resulted in improvements in attendance in school, with evidence that providing children with food in school is making a difference to families in terms of money saved and, for some families, in time saved on food preparation.”
The Department of Social Protection provides the funding to schools and it is the responsibility of schools to choose their supplier in an open, fair and transparent manner.
The department will now write to each school 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.
The full list of Mayo primary schools approved for hot school meals from April 2024 is:
Ardagh NS
Ballintubber NS
Claremorris Boys NS
Cloghans NS
Cooneal NS
Crimlin NS
Foxford Central NS
Gaelscoil na Cruaiche
Glencorrib NS
Gortjordan NS
Holy Trinity National School
Irishtown NS
Kiltimagh Central
Lecanvey NS
Muirisc NS
Newtownwhite Educate Together NS
Rathbane NS
Robeen Central NS
SN An Teaghlaigh
SN B Curnanool
SN Ceathru An Chlochar
SN Colm Naofa
SN Gort An Eadain
SN Gort Sceiche
SN Uileog De Burca
Scoil Na Gcoillini
Scoil Naisiunta Thola
Scoil Náisiúnta Thuar Mhic Éadaigh
Scoil Phadraig
SN An Trian Lair
SN Baile Cuisin
SN Beal Atha Na Hein
SN Na Haille
Westport Educate Together National School