Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick City, Labour) | Oireachtas source

We regularly issue healthy lifestyle guidelines to post-primary schools and will be issuing them again in September. Issues relating to vending machines are addressed in the guidelines. I do not have the authority to dictate to schools on this issue but I have advised them to make healthy eating options available. Approximately 30% of post-primary schools have vending machines, a reduction from 35% in 2009. Much of the work required in this area involves changing cultures and encouraging healthy lifestyles in order that young people do not want to consume fizzy drinks. If a fizzy drink is not available in the school, it will not improve the student's health if he or she goes to the shop next door to buy one. It is more effective to introduce measures to change attitudes and cultures. Such measures are being implemented across Government.

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