Minister Calleary Extends Holiday Hunger Pilot for 42,280 Children for One Year
Minister Dara Calleary extended the Holiday Hunger Pilot Project for one year, providing school meals to 42,280 children. This initiative supports vulnerable children during summer, ensuring access to nutritious food and preventing educational regression. Over 90% of schools reported positive impacts in 2025.
Minister for Social Protection Dara Calleary TD announced a one-year extension of the Holiday Hunger Pilot Project. This project integrates the Department of Social Protection’s School Meals Programme with the Department of Education and Youth’s Summer Programme.
The extension will benefit 42,280 children most at risk of educational disadvantage, with over one in five experiencing food poverty during summer. The initiative ensures regular, nutritious food, supporting children in their education and encouraging school attendance and achievement.
The Summer Programme, which included over 500 schools in the 2025 pilot, supports vulnerable children with special educational needs and those at risk of educational disadvantage. It aims to prevent regression in learning and development during the long summer break. Over 90% of participating schools in 2025 reported a positive impact from providing school meals.