Limerick — June 4, 2026 — The Limerick and Clare Education and Training Board (ETB) has joined the national conversation on youth food poverty, participating in the ETBI Youth Work Matters conference where the growing issue of holiday hunger was placed under the spotlight.
At the event, Minister for Education and Youth Hildegarde Naughton TD launched the Summer Meals Pilot Project report, which revealed that 60% of youth workers report high levels of holiday hunger in their communities. The report highlights how the end of the school year creates a “cliff edge” for families, with many young people arriving hungry, skipping meals, or taking food home to support their families.
The pilot project, delivered under the UBU Your Place, Your Space framework, provided over 5,000 young people per week with nutritious meals while also supporting wider wellbeing. Minister Naughton confirmed that the programme will continue in 2026 with €600,000 in increased funding, expanding participation from 41 to 77 youth services nationwide.
ETBI Acting General Secretary Dr James Eustace emphasized the importance of sustainable solutions: “This report highlights both the need and the impact that can be achieved when youth services are supported. We already have the infrastructure, relationships and expertise in communities to respond to holiday hunger in a practical and meaningful way. Now, the priority is to build on that and guarantee long-term solutions.”
By joining the national dialogue, Limerick and Clare ETB reinforced its commitment to tackling food insecurity among young people, ensuring that youth services remain central to addressing holiday hunger and supporting community wellbeing.
