Support the Call for Change
Hot Meal Funding for Secondary Schools
Picture this: A primary school child finishes their last year, well-fed, focused, and thriving thanks to a guaranteed hot meal every day. Now imagine that same child moving on to secondary school, facing new academic pressures and personal challenges—but without the guarantee of a hot meal.
This is the reality for thousands of secondary students in Ireland. When the bell rings for lunchtime, many sit with less than what they need to fuel their day.
Nutrition Is More Than a Meal – It’s a Lifeline
Hot meals are more than food. They provide warmth, energy, and the ability to concentrate, learn, and dream. For students from low-income families, a hot meal might be the only full meal of their day. The difference between primary and secondary school meal funding is not just a matter of numbers—it is a matter of fairness, dignity, and opportunity.
Imagine the Impact: Hungry Minds, Hungry Futures
Secondary students are at a critical stage in their lives, facing exams, social pressures, and the need to plan their futures. When hunger sits next to them in the classroom, it is not just their grades that suffer—it is their self-esteem, their hope, and their belief in a fair chance.
Together, We Can Change This
Your voice matters. Join us in asking why our teenagers are left behind. Help us demand equal funding for hot meals in secondary schools so no child faces lunchtime with an empty stomach. Every student deserves to be seen, heard, and fed.
In Ireland, all primary schools receive full government funding to provide hot meals to their students, at a rate of €3.20 per student per day. This ensures that children up to age 12 benefit from consistent, nutritious meals. However, secondary schools receive far less support:
#SecondarySchoolMeals
- Primary School Hot Meal Funding 100%
- Secondary School Hot Meal Funding 8%
PRIMARY SCHOOLS
100% coverage of all primary schools with a budget of €3.20 per student per day for hot meals.
SECONDARY SCHOOLS
Only 8% of secondary schools receive funding for Hot Meals, with a reduced rate of €2.50 per student per day. This amount must cover both a hot meal and a drink.
#InvestInTeens
Secondary Students – Hot Meals for Some, Hunger for Others
Equal access to nutrition should not stop at age 12. Providing hot meals for secondary school students isn’t just about food—it’s about supporting their education, health, and future. Together, we can ask the question…WHY?
Ask your local politician where they stand before the general Election
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Primary School Students
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