Charlie McConalogue (Donegal North East, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister for her response and commend the Irish Heart Foundation for its work on the survey and its valuable work in trying to promote healthier lifestyles and awareness of how to ensure people look after their hearts. As I indicated in the question, the results of the survey of food provision in post-primary schools, in which 39 schools were surveyed, showed that 40% of secondary schools did not provide free water for students. Students have to fill an empty bottle in the bathrooms or buy water from a vending machine where the price of a bottle of water is approximately the same as that of a sugary drink available alongside it. This is unacceptable. The survey also showed that 47% of schools had vending machines and that the gross annual income from each school was €2,000. We do not need to elaborate on the increasing obesity crisis. The Minister said policy advice would be given to schools on the promotion of healthy lifestyles and healthy eating.

What policies or requirements will the Minister put in place to ensure healthy foods are available in schools, which the survey indicates is not the case in the majority of schools?

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