Over 17,000 local children will be eligible for free hot meals when they return to school in a few weeks' time, according to the Social Protection Minister.
There are over 5,300 in Longford, almost 4,000 in Leitrim and over 8,100 in Roscommon.
Minister Dara Calleary says all primary schools will be covered by the Hot School Meals Scheme, by the end of the year.
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But Rooskey meals provider, Andrew Reynolds, says there are delays with the programme:
