One in five young people in Ireland report having skipped meals due to cost.
Minister for Education and Youth Hildegarde Naughton TD launched the Summer Meals Pilot Project report*at the Education and Training Boards Ireland’s (ETBI) national Youth Work Matters conference and shone a spotlight on the growing issues surrounding holiday hunger. The report highlights the extent of food insecurity experienced by young people across Ireland outside of the school term.
The report, undertaken by ETBI, the Department of Education and Youth and Horizons Research, confirms that holiday hunger is prevalent in local communities with youth workers frequently observing young people arriving hungry, skipping meals or taking food home to support their families. The report found that the end of the school year creates a “cliff edge” for some families in accessing foods.
In total, 41 youth services operating under the UBU Your Place, Your Space framework provided over 5,000 young people per week with nutritious meals while also supporting wider wellbeing. A key message emerging from the evaluation, which is set to be explored at the conference, is that youth services are best placed to respond to holiday hunger in the community.
Addressing delegates at the conference, Minister Naughton announced, “I am very pleased to confirm that the programme will continue in 2026 with increased funding of €600,000, allowing us to expand participation from 41 to 77 youth services across the country.
“I want to sincerely thank the education and training boards and youth services involved for their continued commitment to supporting the wellbeing of young people in their communities.”
ETBI Acting General Secretary Dr James Eustace said, “This report highlights both the need and the impact that can be achieved when youth services are supported. ETBs play a vital role in connecting national policy with on the ground, local delivery. What this pilot demonstrates is that we already have the infrastructure, the relationships and the expertise in communities to respond to holiday hunger in a practical and meaningful way, Now, the priority is to build on that and guarantee that there is sustainable, long-term solutions.”
