Cathal Crowe (Clare, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the witnesses for their engagement with the committee. I welcome the Minister of State, whom we were glad to see back in the Chamber.

I was interested in the earlier discussion on the hot school meals scheme. Prior to my election in 2020, I was a primary school teacher. My school successfully participated in the Food Dudes programme, which was reward-based. Children were encouraged to try different vegetables they had not previously eaten. Some were reluctant to do so. We received a few notes from parents about the scheme. When children were asked to bring in cherry tomatoes, they sometimes arrived with whole tomatoes. That presented a choking hazard for young children. Whether we are talking about hard carrot sticks or little broccoli florets, guidance should be given on the preparation of food to ensure that when it arrives in the school, it is safe to hand out to children for independent eating. Will the witnesses comment on that?

What level of oversight does Safefood have of the menu options available under the hot school meals scheme? Some food providers are on a direct contract with the Department of Social Protection. I assume Safefood has some oversight of the scheme. It comes directly under the Minister, Deputy Humphreys, but the Departments of Health and Education are also involved. What oversight is there of menus? In some cases, the food is prepared and provided by local operators. Is there consistency in the standard of food provided? Is there a risk that we could end up in a scenario in which children are having two dinners a day, which is not an intended consequence of the scheme? When I was in college, I often skipped lectures in the afternoon to have dinner and a few pints with friends before going home for a second dinner. Mom always puts the dinner on the table. If that is the case for a lot of youngsters, there is a risk of children eating a second large dinner at home in the evening. That has the unintended consequence of loading up those children with carbohydrates and calories.