Summer meals programme to be piloted in Kildare 

A new pilot programme has been confirmed that will provide meals to vulnerable children and young people in Kildare during the school summer holidays.

The programme is being developed by the Department of Education and Youth, working closely with the Child Poverty and Well-Being Office in the Department of the Taoiseach.

Kildare South Fine Gael TD and Minister for Agriculture, Food, Fisheries, and the Marine, Martin Heydon said this programme will support young people who may not have access to a filling meal when schools are closed.

“It is fantastic to see this pilot scheme in place here in Kildare, so during the summer break from school some young people don’t lose access to regular meals.” 

“Beginning this week, the Summer 2025 Holiday Meals Pilot Programme is designed to support young people who may not have access to a hot or filling meal when their school is closed.” 

"I am extremely grateful to the youth services and staff in InSync Youth and Family Service in Athy, Newbridge, Kildare Town, Naas and Clane, and Leixlip for taking part in this vital work,” he continued.

Across 16 education and training board (ETB) areas, 41 UBU-funded youth services have signed up to take part in the pilot. They will try out different ways of giving meals to young people, including having meals prepared and delivered and cooking meals on-site at youth centres.

An independent evaluator, hired by Education and Training Boards Ireland (ETBI), will review how the pilot works from start to finish. This will help decide if the programme should be expanded in future years.

“I encourage families in Kildare that may need a little extra help this summer to contact KWETB or InSync for more details," concluded Minister Heydon.