Food scheme set to serve up tasty school meals

THOUSANDS of more children will benefit from an expanded school meals scheme from this autumn, under a Government funding boost.

The doubling of investment by the Department of Social and Family Affairs was announced last March by Minister Mary Coughlan, and is set to take effect in the next few weeks.

With 4 million now available, at least 5,000 more children could benefit from a daily meal or snack under the school meals programme. The scheme was previously only available to primary schools, providing meals to around 15,000 children, but is being extended to second level this year.