Holiday Hunger programme for school kids must be made permanent – Nelson Murray

A scheme to combat childhood food poverty during the summer holiday period must be extended and made permanent, a Fine Gael Senator has said.

Senator Linda Nelson Murray, who published a national survey designed to strengthen the Hot Schools Meals Programme, has called for further investment into tackling so-called ‘Holiday Hunger’.

The Holiday Hunger Pilot Programme was introduced last summer with a budget of €1.3 million and supports around 40,000 children. A decision has yet to be made in relation to the upcoming holiday period.

Senator Nelson Murray has called for the Government to extend the initiative and put the scheme on a permanent footing.

“Too many children lose access to a reliable hot meal the moment the school gates close for the summer,” she said.

“For families already under pressure from rising grocery, childcare and energy costs, the long holiday period can create real hardship and massive worry.

“That is why this programme cannot remain a short-term pilot – it must become a permanent part of our response to child poverty.

“Through my previous work engaging with schools, parents and stakeholders on strengthening and expanding the Hot School Meals Programme, I have consistently heard concerns about the gap that exists during school holidays.

“We have made significant progress in tackling food poverty during the school year, but we now need to ensure that support does not simply stop in June and resume again in September.

“The evidence is clear that good nutrition supports children’s health, wellbeing, concentration and development.

“A permanent Holiday Hunger Programme would build on the success of the Hot School Meals Programme and ensure vulnerable children are not left behind during the summer months.

“I am calling on the Government to commit to long-term funding for this initiative in the next Budget and to work with schools, community organisations and local authorities to ensure the programme can be delivered effectively nationwide.

“The same children who are hungry during term time are sadly, hungry too during the summer months and that cannot be let happen.”