11 primary schools to benefit from expansion in Hot School Meals programme

The Hot School Meals programme is set to be significantly expanded this year. 

Some 35,000 students across 189 schools will benefit from hot meals - an almost 5 fold increase on the number last year. 

11 of the schools are in here in Cork. 

Research from the Department of Social Protection suggests the scheme has impacted positively on school attendance and the mental well-being of students. 

Minister Heather Humphreys says it's particularly important for more disadvantaged families:

"This is very important to families who are in disadvantaged areas and this is particularly targeted at Deis schools. But it's important that children get a good substantial meal. It means that they're healthier it's better for them. And it's important that we continue to do this, I'm certainly very committed to us. "

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