Five schools across Cavan and Monaghan have been invited to join the Hot School Meals programme.
The three million euro investment in the scheme will see the addition of 81 DEIS schools nationwide.
The schools being invited to participate are currently availing of the cold lunch option of the School Meals Programme and today's announcement will enable an additional 16,000 primary school pupils to receive a hot meal every school day.
In Co Cavan, St Patrick's National School and Fairgreen National School in Belturbet, Kilnaleck Mixed National School, and Scoil Naisiunta Mhuire in Swanlinbar have been added to the programme.
In Monaghan, Castleblayney Convent has been added to the scheme.
These schools will benefit from the extension of Hot School Meals from January 2022.
Social Protection Minister Heather Humphreys says the Hot School Meals programme leads to better educational outcomes and an improvement in the overall wellbeing of children.
