Cork Pre-schools to Receive Free Daily Lunches Under New €4.2m Government Programme

• Over 50 early learning services across Cork city and county will provide nutritious meals to thousands of children in disadvantaged areas through the new Bia Blasta initiative

Cork pre-school children in disadvantaged areas will receive free daily lunches following today's announcement of a €4.2 million government programme aimed at tackling child food poverty.

Minister for Children, Disability, and Equality, Norma Foley TD, launched Bia Blasta (Delicious Food), which will provide nutritious meals to 25,000 children nationally attending early learning services. Cork has been allocated 53 participating services, split between 33 in Cork city and 20 across the county.

The programme will ensure children receive proper nutrition whilst learning about healthy eating habits, with dedicated dietitian support for participating services. Mealtimes will become educational experiences where children learn about preparing, sharing, and clearing up after meals.

Cork city services receiving funding include facilities in areas such as Togher, Mahon, Mayfield, Hollyhill, and Knocknaheeny. County Cork providers span from Youghal and Cobh in the east to Millstreet in the north, ensuring widespread coverage across the region.

Minister Norma Foley said:

"There is very strong evidence that giving nutritious lunches to children in disadvantaged areas will combat the risk of hunger as well as improving their attention levels and overall wellbeing."

The initiative forms part of the Equal Start funding model, which provides targeted support for children in disadvantaged areas. Previously, children attending the three-hour free pre-school programme typically brought lunchboxes from home; this marks the first dedicated funding for meals during these sessions.

Services will receive €3.2 million for programme delivery in 2025, with an additional €1 million available before year-end for equipment purchases. Each participating service can claim up to €1,000 for essential items such as fridges, freezers, dishwashers, hobs, or ovens.

The programme targets existing Equal Start-funded services in the Early Childhood Care and Education Programme (ECCE), expected to cater for 15,000 children nationally. An additional 10,000 children will benefit through other ECCE-only services serving high numbers of disadvantaged children.

Whilst legislation already requires early learning services to provide meals based on attendance hours, children in full daycare receiving two meals and two snacks daily, the three-hour pre-school programme had no such provision until now.

Local services set to benefit include well-established community childcare centres, Montessori schools, and family resource centres throughout Cork. Notable participants include Barnardos Brighter Futures, various Respond Early Years Services, and numerous community-run facilities in both urban and rural settings.

The programme represents a significant investment in early childhood nutrition and education, addressing food poverty whilst establishing healthy eating patterns from an early age.