The Minister for Social Protection, Heather Humphreys T.D, has today announced that funding for the School Meals Programme will continue throughout the summer holidays.
Minister Humphreys said she wanted to reassure parents and school authorities that this vital support will remain in place during the school recess.Funding under the School Meals Programme is normally confined to the academic year, but an exception has been made this summer in recognition of Covid-19.
This extension will ensure that participating primary and secondary schools can provide food parcels benefiting thousands of pupils over the summer months.
Furthermore, Minister Humphreys has confirmed that funding from her Department will be made available to schools participating in the Department of Education’s School Based Education Programme, which focusses on pupils with complex special educational needs those at risk of education disadvantage.
Minister Humphreys has also today opened applications for the Back To School Clothing and Footwear Allowance, which last year supported 111,000 families with back to school costs.Overall, over €118 million is today being provided today through these three important schemes.