Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)

As I said in reply to Deputy O'Reilly, the hot school meals review was announced when we expanded programme just ahead of the Easter school holidays. With regard to nutrition, the specific standard was set under the nutritional standards for school meals and nutritional standards for hot school meals. A technical nutrition subgroup comprised of dietitians from the Irish Nutrition and Dietetic Institute of Ireland, the HSE, Safefood, and the Food Safety Authority of Ireland came together and developed the standards, which are available on gov.ie.

Nutritional standards are a priority. I have asked for a review of the scheme’s nutritional standards, and this will be conducted by a dietician who will be supervised by the Department of Health and in co-ordination with the interdepartmental group on school meals. I have asked for a report on the nutritional standards be submitted to me by the end of this calendar year.

In the meantime, food that is high in saturated fat, sugar and salt will be removed from the school menus by September 2025. Up to now this food had been permitted once a week at most and only when selected by childrens' parents. I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

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