28th May 2026 - 06:00
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Ireland’s Minister for Education and Youth Hildegarde Naughton has announced the expansion of the Summer Holiday Meals Pilot Programme for 2026, building on the success of last year’s initiative to support young people during the school summer holidays.
The programme, first introduced in 2025, will receive increased funding of €600,000 in 2026, up from €500,000 last year. It forms part of the Government’s wider commitment to tackling child poverty.
The 2026 programme will begin on 2nd June 2026 and will provide hot or substantial meals to young people aged ten to 18 attending participating UBU youth services throughout the summer months.
Naughton said: “The experience of last year’s pilot, together with the findings of the independent evaluation, will help shape the future development of this programme. Ensuring that young people have access to nutritious food during the summer months is an important part of supporting their wellbeing, development and participation.”