An additional 168 primary schools in Ireland are to receive hot meals following the success of a pilot scheme nationwide.
Six schools in Waterford are among those to join the programme.
Among the schools to offer hot meals to their primary school pupils are Waterford Educate Together National School, Lismore National School, St. Mary's National School Grange, Rathgormack National School, Scoil Gearbhain, and Ballymacarbry National School.
Initially, just 30 schools in Ireland were part of the pilot scheme offering hot meals to primary school students.
However, the success of the programme has seen numbers swell to 2,200 primary schools from September.
This means that from September, 345,000 pupils will be eligible to receive hot meals in school.
Schools are free to choose their own supplier, following funding supplied by the Department of Social Protection.
Additionally, any schools who have not yet joined the scheme are asked to express an interest through the department.
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