School dinners: No hot meals for some primary school pupils

Downshire Primary School in Hillsborough is one of the schools affected.

In a letter to parents, the school said the EA was facing “serious staffing issues” and that meant the school kitchen could not provide hot meals until further notice.

However, pupils can buy packed lunches instead and pupils entitled to free school meals will receive a free packed lunch.

The school’s letter said it hoped the situation would be “a short-lived thing”.

In a statement, an EA spokesperson said “a small number of schools” in County Down – as well as Downshire Primary – were facing “a disruption to the meals service” but did not specify how many.

“These shortages are due to a number of issues, including sickness, and the EA, like many other hospitality providers, is also experiencing the effects of an industry wide shortage of staff which has a significant impact on recruitment,” the statement continued.

“We are working to resolve this disruption as quickly as possible and the EA’s catering service will continue to liaise with all schools to ensure parents and carers are kept informed throughout.

“In the interim, to ensure children can avail of a school meal in those schools impacted, a range of contingency arrangements are put in place as far as possible, including meals provided by another kitchen where possible, the provision of a packed lunch, or limited menu choices.”