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5th June 2025
03:14pm BST
A new pilot programme has been launched to provide meals to young people during the summer holidays.
Minister for Education and Youth Helen McEntee TD welcomed the Summer 2025 Holiday Meals Pilot Programme, beginning on June 3rd 2025.
The programme was designed to support young people who might not have access to a filling or hot meal during the holidays.
The new programme is part of the Government’s “wider plan to end child poverty.”
The Department of Education and Youth, in collaboration with the Child Poverty and Well-Being Office in the Department of the Taoiseach, are currently developing the pilot programme.
Helen McEntee, the Minister for Education and Youth, stated:
“When schools close for the summer, some young people lose access to regular hot meals.”
“This pilot programme will help make sure that doesn’t happen this summer.”
“This programme is about looking after children and young people, especially those who need extra support during the school holidays.”
"I am extremely grateful to the youth services and staff taking part in this important work.
“Their support will make a tangible difference to the lives of so many young people this summer."
The Summer 2025 Holiday Meals Pilot Programme runs from June to August.
UBU Your Place Your Space, a national scheme to fund youth services for those aged 10 to 24, is providing the meals.
At the moment, 41 UBU-funded youth services have joined the pilot programme.
According to the Department of Education and Youth, UBU will provide meals in many ways, such as:
The Summer 2025 Holiday Meals Pilot Programme begins on June 3rd 2025. For the full list of youth group participants, click here.
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