It\u2019s a disgrace that hundreds of primary schools previously told they would begin providing hot school meals in September will now face delays, with the scheme postponed until mid to late October, according to Social Democrats education spokesperson Jen Cummins TD.<\/p>\n
Deputy Cummins said:<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen were schools actually told this was happening? The lack of transparency around the timing of this communication is unacceptable – school communities are already under immense pressure preparing for the return of pupils in just a few weeks.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf schools were informed only in recent days, that represents an extraordinary failure in planning and respect. Schools have a right to proper notice. They have a right to their holidays.<\/p>\n
\u201cIn February 2025, I questioned the adequacy of the procurement process, the standards of nutrition being delivered, and the extent to which local suppliers were being supported – in particular, I highlighted concerns that the quality of meals being provided in many schools under the current private model is simply not good enough.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat we are hearing from some schools and parents is that the food being served is of deeply questionable quality: processed, reheated, lacking in nutrition, and failing to meet the needs of children. The Department must now provide clarity on what changes are being made to the procurement process – the current model is not working, and it is children who are paying the price.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe hot school meals scheme has the potential to be transformative in addressing educational disadvantage and food insecurity, but only if it is implemented properly, with high nutritional standards and community-centred delivery.<\/p>\n
\u201cCompounding the growing tension in school communities is the planned strike by school secretaries on 28 August, which is entirely justified – school secretaries have waited too long for fair treatment and fair pay.<\/p>\n
\u201cTheir planned industrial action is a reflection of years of inaction from government, but it must also be recognised that late August and early September are now shaping up to be an incredibly difficult and uncertain period for schools.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis situation demands more than a vague promise of action later in the term. School communities need clarity now. They need respect, communication, and proper support. Anything less is a dereliction of duty.\u201d<\/p>\n
August 7th, 2025<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" It\u2019s a disgrace that hundreds of primary schools previously told they would begin providing hot school meals in September will now face delays, with the scheme postponed until mid to late October, according to Social Democrats education spokesperson Jen Cummins TD. Deputy Cummins said: \u201cWhen were schools actually told this was happening? The lack of […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":13299,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[540,650,218,581,7],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-13301","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-children","category-cost-of-living","category-education","category-jen-cummins","category-press-release"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n