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

The nutritional standards for the hot school meals programme were developed by a working group led by the health and well-being programme in my Department in consultation with Safefood and the healthy eating and active living programme in the Health Service Executive. We have all been involved with the nutrition content. The hot school meals programme is funded by the Department of Social Protection, the schools are involved and the Department of Education is involved, so it cuts across a number of different groups. We are involved in the nutrition standards and the Department of Social Protection does the inspections. As I said earlier, more than 400 schools are inspected annually by the Department. There is very much a hands-on approach by the Department and there is ongoing consultation between the different Departments in making sure that we continue to have a very high standard in what is made available to children while also making sure there is nutritional value in it.

On the farmers' markets issue we have no difficulty engaging with local authorities on this. It would come under local authorities. There is a process that local authorities would have to go through in making the space available. In fairness, many local authorities have come on board with that and where such markets have opened they are doing very well. It gives people the opportunity to purchase food so they know where it comes from and that it is not processed.