980 pupils in six primary schools across Tipperary will receive a hot meal daily

Hot School Meals update for Tipperary

Deputy Michael Lowry is very pleased to welcome the news that 980 pupils in six primary schools across Tipperary will receive a hot meal daily under the Hot School Meals Programme 2021, which was launched last week.

The Tipperary Schools included in the programme are Scoil na mBráithre in Tipperary Town (190), Killenaule National School (115), Scoil Iosef Naofa (Corville) NS in Roscrea (331), Scoil Iosef Naofa, Templemore (90), Scoil Colmcille in Templemore (111) and the Sacred Heart Primary School in Roscrea (143).

The Hot School Meals Programme 2021, which was launched by Minister Heather Humphreys, will benefit some 35,000 pupils in 189 primary schools across the country.

This is an extension of the programme to primary school pupils who had been availing of the cold lunch only. The hot meals will be available to these pupils in schools that do not have canteen/kitchen facilities on site. The hot meal will replace the cold lunch, which has been in place to date.

Deputy Lowy explained: “Each school must identify a supplier who will supply (prepare and deliver) the hot meals in line with the relevant food safety regulations and in compliance with the Healthy Ireland ‘Nutrition Standards for Hot School Meals’.”

Schools will be expected to provide a menu choice of at least two different meals per day plus a vegetarian/vegan option, as well as an option that caters for pupils’ religious and cultural dietary requirements.