The Hot School Meals Programme has been a “great success” since it was rolled out in one Dublin school a month ago.

Principal of Divine Word NS in Rathfarnham John Sheanon was “sceptical” about the idea at first, but his concerns have since been alleviated.

His is one of more than 1,400 schools in Ireland that are availing of the programme after it was expanded last month to include an additional 150,000 children.

Social Protection Minister Heather Humphreys hopes to expand the scheme to all primary and post-primary schools in Ireland by 2030, meaning 950,000 pupils would receive a free hot meal every day.

Divine Word NS principal John Sheanon and a student pictured beside a delivery of hot school meals. Image: Josh Crosbie/ Newstalk

On Newstalk Breakfast today, a report by Newstalk’s Josh Crosbie explored how schools were receiving the programme after the latest expansion.

Divine Word NS Principal MR Sheanon said he didn’t think the scheme would be feasible at first.

“I would have initially been sceptical about the whole thing in an area like Rathfarnham here, the cost; we receive €3.20 a day and we have nearly 500 children,” he said.

“It’s nearly €300,000 a year for this and I know, having spoken to some principals, we shared similar sentiments regards this – could the money be spent better?

“The three concerns I would have had is wastage, packing and the quality of the food.”

Concerns

Principal Sheanon said his concerns are now gone.

“I have to give credit when it's due to The Lunch Bag who provide the meals, there’s no food wastage, they provide lunchboxes for children to go home with and the quality of food is brilliant,” he said.

“There’s a menu and apps where children and parents can choose their food for the week, and it works very well.”

Taoiseach Simon Harris meeting school children during the announcement at St Thomas' Junior National School, Esker, Lucan, on the roll-out of the Hot School Meals Programme,15-4-24. Image: PA Images / Alamy Stock Photo

Fourth-class student Fiadh is a big fan of the meals.

“I think it’s very good – my mother was terrible at making lunches,” she told Josh.

“I try to have different ones every day and I’ve not had one the same yet so far.

“Every day you’re excited to see what everyone else’s lunch is and if it looks nice and you can have it too - there’s a bunch of different selections.”

Healthy Hot School Meals

Dietician Sarah Keogh said the meals must be healthy.

“There are guidelines out from the HSE and from Safe Food around the fact that there needs to be fruit and veg in there,” she said.

“It’s not just down to children, schools need to choose what actually goes on the menu and the guidelines are very strict that it has to be healthy foods the children are getting.”

The Hot School Meals Programme started as a pilot scheme in 2019, with just 37 schools taking part.

Main image: A child eating a school dinner. Image: NorthScape / Alamy Stock Photo