Several Mayo primary schools to benefit from important programme

Minister of State Alan Dillon has confirmed that seven primary schools across Mayo have been approved for the Hot School Meals Programme.

Minister Dillon expressed his delight at the news following Minister Heather Humphreys’ announcement that an additional 168 primary schools across every county will receive hot school meals from September 2024.

“I am delighted to see seven new schools in Mayo included in this vital programme, ensuring more children have access to nutritious meals,” he said.

The approved schools are:

Castlebar Primary School – Castlebar 

Gaelscoil Raifteirí – Castlebar 

St Josephs N S – Derrywash, Castlebar

St Patricks NS – Balla 

Scoil Chomain Naofa – Roundfort, Hollymount 

S N Naomh Colm Cille –  The Quay, Westport 

Cloondaff N S – Glenhest 

Minister Dillon stated, “The Department of Social Protection will now write to each of the 168 schools 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 school meals from September 2024.” 

Deputy Dillon also highlighted the positive impact of the programme, saying, “Research indicates that the provision of school meals results in improvements in school attendance, 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.”