UPDATE: Hot School Meals Programme extended to over 30 Kildare primary schools

placeholder image — UPDATE: Hot School Meals Programme extended to over 30 Kildare primary schools. FILE PHOTOGRAPH / PIXABAY

The total number of schools in receipt of hot meals from the government is almost at 3,000

The government's Hot School Meals Programme has been extended to cover over 30 primary schools based in County Kildare.

In total, a further 713 primary schools have been added to the Hot School Meals Programme from yesterday (Friday, April 11 last).

This brings the total number of schools involved in the Programme to almost 3,000, according to a report from KFM.

The move has been welcomed by a Senator for Kildare South, Mark Wall.

However, the Labour Party politician said that he noted that teachers have raised concerns about the quality of the food being provided.

"I hope that with the review being carried out by government on the nutritional standards of the food being provided will ensure that students receive the best quality food that is available," Senator Wall said. "I am aware of a local provider who delivers under this Programme and I know they are working hard to ensure they meet all the government criteria expected of them.

"This has been a very good initiative which the Labour Party will continue to support."

"With increasing levels of poverty among children and young people, we have to ensure that Ireland meets its commitments under the EU Social Inclusion Programme to ensure children receive at least one good, nutritious hot meal a day," he concluded.

The full list of Kildare-based schools which have been added to the programme can be viewed below: