Seán Canney TD, Minister of State for International and Road Transport, Logistics, Rail and Ports and Leader in Cabinet of the Independent Ministers, has welcomed Government approval for a one-year extension of the Holiday Hunger Pilot Programme, which will support approximately 42,000 children who are most at risk of educational disadvantage during the school summer holidays.
The programme, delivered through a partnership between the Department of Social Protection’s School Meals Programme and the Department of Education and Youth’s Summer Programme, is designed to ensure that children who rely on school-based supports during the academic year continue to have access to nutritious food and assistance during the summer months.
The pilot has been allocated funding of €1.3 million for 2026 and forms part of the overall School Meals Scheme budget.
Welcoming the decision, Minister Canney said: “For many children, school provides much more than education. It also provides routine, support, social connection and access to nutritious meals. The summer holidays can be a particularly difficult period for some families, and this programme is about ensuring that children do not go without simply because schools are closed.”
“I am very pleased that the Government has agreed to extend this pilot programme for another year. It will support around 42,000 children across the country who are most at risk of educational disadvantage, with more than one in five of those children experiencing holiday hunger.”
The programme supports children attending special schools, students with complex special educational needs participating in summer provision programmes, and children attending schools in areas of concentrated socio-economic disadvantage under the DEIS programme.
Minister Canney said the extension would also allow the programme to be further refined and strengthened.
“This additional year will help ensure the scheme can operate as effectively as possible, while also allowing both Departments to gather more information, improve delivery and ensure support reaches the children who need it most.”
