There's increasing pressure to expand breakfast clubs in Deis (Delivering Equality of Opportunity in Schools) primary schools across Ireland. This comes amid rising child poverty and school absenteeism. Almost one-third of Deis schools lack guaranteed breakfast club funding, while those with funding say it's inadequate, often only covering a cold snack. Advocates argue that nutritious breakfasts are crucial for children's physical and mental well-being, academic performance, and school attendance.
Breakfast clubs in Deis primary schools: ‘If it wasn’t here and you’d had no breakfast you’d be on the yard hungry’
Almost one-third of Deis primary schools are not guaranteed breakfast club funding while those that are say funding is inadequate, providing only for a cold snack. A total of 1,089 primary schools and 255 post-primary schools are in the scheme. Of these, however, 284 primary and 38 post-primary were admitted only in 2022.
Pupils Lilly Whelan , Remi Keoghegan and Mason Whelan in the breakfast club at St Francis Senior National School in Priorswood in North County Dublin. Photo: Bryan O’BrienIreland, which now funds 45 school breakfast clubs across the country, and was awarded €3,000. Ms Kiely bought equipment, including catering-size toasters, cutlery and tableware. The fund provides toast for all 198 pupils at their desks each morning and also a targeted breakfast club for up to 14 pupils at a time, per morning.
Amelia says the club is “good”. On her way to school on the bus, she was “thinking about breakfast and my friends”.
Child Poverty School Breakfast Clubs Education Deis Schools Ireland
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