A growing number of children are arriving to school hungry due to the cost-of-living criss, a new study reports.

A study, commissioned by Kellogg's surveyed teachers in 45 schools supported by the Kellogg's Breakfast Programme, and 58% of participants said they see students arriving without any breakfast "very often".

42% of teachers said they believe the cost-of-living crisis has had a "major impact" on students' access to breakfast at home.

92% of teachers surveyed agreed that mitigating short-term hunger is the "most important benefit" of breakfast clubs.

Kellogg's Ireland General Manager Shauna Lenagh said the findings are a "stark reminder" of the challenges many families in Ireland face today.

Breakfast clubs

The study was commissioned to 10 years of Kellogg's Breakfast Clubs programme in Ireland.

Over the past decade, the programme has benefited over 28,000 children.

Beyond addressing children's hunger, 75% of teachers said breakfast clubs help with punctuality, while 67% said they saw an increase in energy levels and classroom participation since their introduction.

67% also believe the clubs boost educational attainment and school attendance.

All teachers surveyed, meanwhile, agreed that breakfast clubs promote belonging and inclusion in schools.

83% said they noticed increased social interactions among their students following the implementation of the programme.

Children queue up for a meal in a school canteen, Alamy.

The Kellogg's Breakfast Clubs programme sees the company provide annual financial contributions through the Community Foundation Ireland.

Schools have full autonomy over the funding and can use it to buy supplies and equipment based on the specific needs of their students.

Community Foundation Ireland' Chief Executive Denise Charlton said the programme carries out "vital work" and demonstrates the "power of partnership in addressing community needs".

Feature image shows children arriving to school, Alamy.