Nearly one in five teachers says they have seen an increase in the number of children coming to school hungry.
More than 500 primary and secondary teachers were polled, with nearly four in ten saying they had brought food in to feed a hungry child.
Nineteen percent of teachers said they saw hungry children every day, while one in three had seen kids fall asleep for want of food.
Meanwhile at secondary school, teens will be able to study "mindfulness' techniques as part of the new junior cert next month.
The course is aimed at improving students social development, as well as their mental and emotional health.
It includes guidelines on minding themselves and others, as well as practicing relaxation techniques.
