Barnardos has called for the hot school meals programme to include holidays in the wake of a new cost of living report.
The charity conducted research on cost of living habits in Ireland. Its report found that 20 percent of surveyed families were forced to cut back on food due to the current crisis.
CEO Suzanne Connolly said the report highlights the stark realities facing many Irish children in the current economic climate. She said that the expansion of the school meals system would help alleviate these pressures slightly.
READ MORE: School children left cold and without lunch as parents struggle
She told RTE's Morning Ireland: "We want the government to pilot it during the school holidays, ideally in a way where it doesn’t stigmatise families. If there’s activities happening in schools over the summer, we want meals available in that context because we know the holidays can be difficult when the children are all at home.”
The government previously confirmed that the hot meals scheme would be implemented across all Deis primary schools next year. It is hoped that the project will eventually encompass all schools regardless of economic status.
Ms Connolly added: "Children need to be fed at school so they can concentrate. We know the families that are being affected the most are the ones on fixed incomes."
Barnardos also wants to see free school meals introduced in secondary schools in order to address food poverty. Figures from the CSO suggest that one in five families are currently experiencing deprivation due to the cost of living crisis.
The charity chief was also critical of once off payments, suggesting they do not adequately address long term financial pressures. The charity has called on government to prioritise income supports for families in the next budget.
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