The Last Word with Matt Cooper School Leaders Call For Review Of Hot School Meals Programme
Jan 15, 2026
Dr. Emer Nowlan, Chief Executive of Educate Together and education advocate, joins Regina Halpin, Principal of Divine Mercy Senior National School, to discuss the pressing issues with the Hot School Meals Programme. They delve into the administrative burdens schools face due to insufficient resources and the importance of on-site kitchens in reducing waste. Regina shares firsthand challenges of implementation, while Emer highlights the need for improved food quality and departmental evaluations. Together, they advocate for better support to ensure no child misses out on a nutritious meal.
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Scheme Fills Real Child Needs
- The Hot School Meals programme addresses deepening child poverty and can be the only hot meal some children get each day.
- However, rollout management issues mean the scheme's benefits risk being undermined without review and improvement.
Principals Face Contract Burden
- Principals are overstretched and now must manage large contracts and increased health and safety risk without extra supports.
- This creates significant pressure on schools and exposes them to financial and operational risk.
Add Administrative Support For Schools
- Provide administrative and management supports or grants similar to other national schemes to reduce the burden on principals.
- Add monitoring and resources so schools need not run large procurement processes alone.