Gerald Nash (Louth, Labour)
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180. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he is satisfied that school canteens providing meals on school premises are adequately regulated; his Department's current responsibilities in terms of the regulation of the school canteens system/service; if he is considering any new regulations in this area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55239/13]

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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Canteens on schools premises are subject to the same regulations that apply to canteens in other types of organisation. Responsibility for compliance with such matters rests with the service provider which could be either the school or an external provider. Neither I nor my Department have a role in such matters.

In accordance with the provisions of the Education Act 1998, the Board of Management is the body charged with the direct governance of a school. It is therefore a matter for each school to devise guidelines around the types of food that are available on the school premises, including where appropriate in the school canteen, and such policies should be driven by the needs and welfare of the pupils.

I am aware that many schools have, in co-operation with their parents' associations, developed healthy eating policies and I would encourage others to do so.