Leader of the Independent Team of Ministers and Minister for International and Road Transport, Logistics, Rails and Ports, Seán Canney TD, has welcomed the launch of the Summer 2025 Holiday Meals Pilot Programme, with Brú Bhríde Youth and Family Support Project in Tuam confirmed as one of the participating services.

The initiative, announced today by Minister for Education and Youth Helen McEntee TD, is designed to provide hot and nutritious meals to young people who may not always have easy access to a proper meal during the school summer holidays. Running from June through August, the pilot is part of the Government’s wider strategy to end child poverty.

Minister Canney said: “I am very pleased to see Brú Bhríde Youth and Family Support Project in Tuam playing a key role in this important new pilot. When schools close, many young people lose access to regular meals. This programme steps in to fill that gap — and I want to thank the dedicated staff in Brú Bhríde for their commitment to looking after young people in our community.”

The meals will be delivered through the UBU Your Place Your Space scheme, which funds youth services working with vulnerable young people aged 10 to 24. A total of 41 youth services across 16 ETB areas will participate in the pilot, trialling models such as:

On-site meal preparation
Delivered meals from external providers

Education and Training Boards Ireland (ETBI) has commissioned an independent evaluation to assess the pilot’s effectiveness and inform future policy decisions.

Minister Canney added: “This initiative represents a practical, compassionate response to a real issue. I look forward to seeing the positive impact it will have in Tuam and across the country.”