- 5. Contact
- 6. Useful Links
- 7. Operational Guidelines
The School Meals Programme provides funding towards provision of food services for disadvantaged school children through two schemes:
- the statutory Urban School Meals Scheme for primary schools is operated by local authorities and part-financed by the Department of Social Protection
- the non-statutory School Meals Local Projects Scheme provides funding directly from the Department of Social Protection to primary schools, secondary schools and local groups and voluntary organisations which operate their own school meals projects
In April 2024, 900 primary schools across every county to receive Hot School Meals.
Projects must be targeted at areas of disadvantage or at children with special needs. Priority for funding is currently given to schools which are part of the Department of Education’s initiative for disadvantaged schools, ‘Delivering Equality of Opportunity in Schools’ (DEIS).
However, there is no automatic entitlement to funding and all applications are considered in light of the available budget for the scheme. Funding will be provided only to existing projects that have shown ongoing viability.
Funding under this scheme is for food only, which must be of suitable quality and nutritional value, and prepared and consumed in an appropriate environment.
The type and range of meals provided, as well as the method and logistics of supplying the meals, are decided by the individual local groups and schools that operate the projects.
Funding under the School Meals Local Projects Scheme is based on a rate of payment per meal, per child, per day.
The current rates of payment effective from 1 January 2023 are:
| Meal | Max Rate of Payment (per child per day) | Minimum number of food items | Examples of Food to be Provided | |
| Breakfast/Snack | €0.75 | 2 items | 1 serving of wholemeal/wholegrain cereal or bread PLUS 1 serving of fruit OR 1 serving of milk, yogurt or cheese | |
| Lunch | €1.70 | 1 substantial item + 1 small item + a drink | Wholemeal/wholegrain sandwich or roll containing 1 serving meat, poultry, egg or cheese and 1 serving salad PLUS 1 serving fruit PLUS a drink (for example: water, milk, unsweetened juice) | |
| Dinner | €2.50 | Hot meal + drink | 1 serving meat, poultry, egg, beans PLUS 1 serving potatoes, pasta or rice PLUS 2 servings vegetables/fruit PLUS a drink (Milk, Water, Unsweetened Juice) | |
| Hot Meal | €3.20 | Hot Meal | Per nutritional standards document |
Funding is allocated on a school year basis. An application for funding must be made each year. Applications should be submitted in advance of the commencement of the school year.
Applications for funding must be made using the Department of Social Protection application form for the School Meals Local Projects Scheme.
A separate copy of Part 2 (pages 3&4) of the form must be completed in respect of each food club you operate. For example, if a school operates a breakfast club and a lunch club, 2 separate copies of page 3 must be submitted with the application.
Schools that got funding and want to apply for the following year must also complete the Income and Expenditure form (SMLPS2).
Application Form: School Meals Local Projects Scheme (SMLPS1)
The School Meals Local Projects Scheme provides funding for food directly to primary schools, secondary schools and local groups and voluntary organisations which operate their own school meals projects. Edition: July 2023
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Income and Expenditure Report: School Meals Local Projects Scheme (SMLPS2)
Schools that got funding and want to apply for the following year must also complete the Income and Expenditure form (SMLPS2). Edition: June 2023
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School Meals Section
Address:
School Meals SWA Section, Department of Social Protection, College Road, Co. Sligo
Website:
Email:
Phone number:
List of schools approved for the Hot School Meals Programme from April 2024
20231201
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Operational guidelines describe the processes and procedures that staff in the department follow when carrying out their work.