Jonathan O'Brien (Cork North Central, Sinn Fein)
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731. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the plans for her Department to take over the responsibility for food provision in schools from the Department of Social Protection. [23722/15]

Jonathan O'Brien (Cork North Central, Sinn Fein)
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733. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills her plans to introduce a national standard for food provision in schools, or if she has discussed the potential for this with the Department of Social Protection. [23724/15]

Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick City, Labour)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 731 and 733 together.

The main programme for food provision in primary and post primary schools is the School Meals Scheme. The operation of that scheme is an issue for the Minister for Social Protection. There are no plans for responsibility for food provision to schools to transfer to my Department.

My Department's main responsibility in this area is to equip students with the key skills and knowledge to enable them to make informed and healthier choices in a range of areas, including nutrition. This is addressed in schools through subjects such as Social, Personal and Health Education (SPHE), and Home Economics as well as in PE.

Schools are performing strongly in this area. For example, the data from the latest Lifeskills survey, 2012, indicate that almost all primary schools provide information to students on the importance of a balanced diet and on the food pyramid. The data from the 2015 survey are currently being analysed.

My Department is currently finalising guidance for schools about measures to promote healthy lifestyles. This guidance encompasses measures to promote healthy eating, healthy vending, as well as the promotion of P.E. and Physical Activity. The guidance has been drafted in consultation with the Department of Health and the HSE. It will issue in September 2015, to post primary schools initially. The issue of this guidance will coincide with the publication by the Department of Health of updated guidelines for post primary schools on the development of healthy eating policies.

In cooperation with schools my Department is also promoting physical activity in schools through the P.E. curriculum, supporting extra-curricular physical activities, and through initiatives such as the Active Schools Flag. This emphasis on physical activity is an important complement to the measures in place to promote healthy eating among our students.