Minister Humphrey’s recognition that free hot school meals should be provided to all primary schoolchildren by 2030 is extremely welcome and will make a real difference to the lives of many children across the country.
Barnardos knows from families we support that free school meals can have a real benefit on children in receipt of the programme, helping with classroom concentration and improving school attendance rates.
At a time when some parents are having to skip meals and are constantly worried about being able to provide their children with sufficient food, these plans could make a real difference going forward. It will help relieve pressure on families and also ensure that children will get at least one nutritious meal a day.
From our own work, we know that not all children living in poverty and experiencing deprivation attend DEIS schools, so the target of a free hot school meal for every primary school child by 2030 is extremely welcome.
Going forward it is important to next tackle holiday hunger, looking at steps the government can take to address those periods when children are not in school, potentially extending meals programme to existing community services and local organisations where possible.
ENDS
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