IPPN

School Meals during COVID-19 closures - IPPN / INTO Joint Statement

Last Updated: Monday, 30 March 2020 12:53

The Department of Education and Skills (DES) has confirmed that the School Meals Scheme will resume from this week, with some notable changes.

Following the latest restrictions announced by the Government on Friday, The DES have confirmed that either An Post or local community/voluntary groups, via a Community Champion in each county, may assist schools with the delivery of food to vulnerable pupils under the scheme. Each county has a Community Champion whose role is to direct queries and requests for assistance to local community and voluntary groups.

INTO and the IPPN are advising school principals and Home School Community Liaison Teachers, whose Boards of Management have decided how the scheme will operate in their school, to liaise with school completion services to ensure that pupils from all families who wish to avail of the school meals scheme during the coming weeks, receive the food once a week.

INTO and the IPPN wish to acknowledge the dedication and commitment of school principals, and all those working within their school, who continue to implement exceptional measures for the benefit of primary school pupils in these unprecedented times.

It is important that all of our members adhere to the advice of government regarding physical distancing, while supporting the school meals initiative.

Important Note: Effective 6pm, on Monday 30 March, school buildings will no longer be accessible to school staff until Easter Sunday April 12 (except in the case of school staff who are involved in planning for the distribution of school meals to vulnerable pupils).

DES Guidance to schools

Click here to view a copy of the letter sent to schools

Local Champions:

Carlow
Paula Hughes
086 0439172
phughes@carlowdevelopment.ie

Cavan
Barbara Kearns
087 7373810
bkearns@ccld.ie

Clare
Gloria Callinan
086 8534330
gcallinan@cldc.ie

Cork
Niall Walsh
087 1852438
niall@avondhublackwater.com

Donegal
Frank Kelly
086 8178854
fkelly@dldc.org

Dublin
Larry O'Neill
087 2800424
larry.oneill@sdcpartnership.ie

Galway
Delia Colohan
086 8237320
dcolahan@gmail.com

Kerry
Dave Fitzgibbons
087 9379121
davefitzgibbon@gmail.com

Kildare
Conor O'Leary
086 6000753
conor@muintir.ie