Colm Burke (Cork North Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The hot school meals programme was introduced by the Minister, Deputy Humphreys, in 2019. The contract for delivery of the scheme is between the school and its supplier. The Department of Social Protection has implemented an inspection programme of organisations participating in the scheme.

Under the existing audit process, some 400 schools are inspected annually by the Department and the Department also carries out ad hocdesk assessments and follows up on any issues that may be raised. There is also a review going on.

In relation to the contract, all schools that wish to avail of the funding are responsible for choosing their supplier on the open market in a fair and transparent manner in accordance with public procurement rules and the primary relationship is between the school and the supplier. To secure funding, a school must first agree to apply the standards set out by signing a service level agreement, which clearly sets out the school's responsibilities and obligations in terms of nutritional standards for school meals. Schools have that responsibility but then there is an overall inspection process within the Department as well. There is then the issue regarding the nutritional content guidelines. The nutritional standards for hot school meals were developed by a working group led by the health and well-being programme in my own Department in consultation with Safefood and the healthy eating and active living programme in the Health Service Executive.

This involves the Departments of Social Protection, Health and Education. There is co-ordination between them all but the important thing is that school inspections are being done and monitored all of the time.