Figures on hot meals schemes for Cavan and Monaghan schools

There are seven schools in Monaghan without access to the hot meals schools scheme.

That's according to figures released by Minister for Social Protection in response to a parliamentary question put forward by Deputy Darren O'Rourke.

3,200 schools and 550,000 children are eligible for hot school meals in the 2025 2026 academic school year.

In his respone Dara Calleary all primary schools have access to the scheme should they wish to apply for it.

He clarified that the programme is not mandatory for schools and the decision to apply lies with the school principal and board of management.

In Cavan there is just one school not accessing it, according to the figures.