Thomas Byrne (Meath East, Fianna Fail)
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300. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills his views on whether food high in fat, sugar and salt should be removed from vending machines in schools; if his attention has been drawn to the percentage of schools that have vending machines in their schools; and his further views on whether schools are using these machines to make up for shortfalls in their budgets as a result of inadequate capitation grants. [34327/17]

Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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In the 2012 Lifeskills Survey, 99.7% of respondent primary schools reported that they do not facilitate the sale of fizzy drinks, sweets and crisps in school, either through vending machines or a school shop. In the same Survey, some 30% of post-primary schools reported having a vending machine or school shop which sells ‘junk food’. The results of the 2015 Lifeskills Survey will be available shortly.

My Department is active in the area of promotion of health and wellbeing in schools.  The issue of promoting healthy eating is addressed in schools through subjects such as Social, Personal and Health Education (SPHE), and Home Economics as well as in Physical Education.  The aim is to equip students with such skills and knowledge to enable them to make appropriate choices for healthy lifestyles. 

Schools are strongly encouraged to have a formal healthy eating policy that has been developed in consultation with students and parents.

Guidelines for developing a healthy eating policy are available for Primary and Post-Primary Schools, which have been developed by the Department of Health and HSE.  These are being revised and updated in light of the new Food Pyramid and National Healthy Eating Guidelines.

My Department issued a circular to all post primary schools in September 2015 on the Promotion of Healthy Lifestyles in Post Primary Schools (Circular number 0051/2015) and to all primary schools in February 2016 on the Promotion of Healthy Lifestyles in Primary Schools (Circular number 0013/2016). These circulars aim to support and strengthen schools’ efforts in developing in young people the skills and attitudes needed to make informed decisions about their health.

As Minister for Education and Skills I do not have the authority to dictate to schools in this manner. Schools are generally privately managed institutions which, although largely funded by the State, are relatively autonomous.

Many post-primary schools have a number of food outlets, including school shops and vending machines.  My Department acknowledges that the sale of food and beverage products often represents a revenue stream for schools and it is not the intention to end this practice.  Rather the intention is to ensure that there is a greater proportion of healthier alternatives to some of the less healthy products that are currently on offer for sale in schools.  Boards of Management and Principals are encouraged to provide as far as possible that only healthy products are available for purchase on school premises.

All of the proactive work done in schools complements the Government's Framework for Improved Health and Wellbeing 2013 - 2025 - Healthy Ireland. Schools can do so much but it is through working together, across Government departments, through families and communities that we can create an environment in which our young people have the knowledge, skills and resilience to choose to lead a healthy life.

Thomas Byrne (Meath East, Fianna Fail)
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301. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills his plans to put in place a national catering standard for secondary schools to provide healthy eating in school cafeterias. [34328/17]

Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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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. 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 strongly encouraged to have a formal healthy eating policy that has been developed in consultation with students and parents.

Guidelines are available to schools on developing a healthy eating policy in Post-Primary Schools, which have been developed by the Department of Health and HSE.  The healthy eating policy should outline how the school supports healthy eating practices through the promotion of healthy lunches and healthy snacks and other means.

My Department issued a circular to all post primary schools in September 2015 on the Promotion of Healthy Lifestyles in Post Primary Schools (Circular number 0051/2015) and to all primary schools in February 2016 on the Promotion of Healthy Lifestyles in Primary Schools (Circular number 0013/2016). These circulars aim to support and strengthen schools’ efforts in developing in young people the skills and attitudes needed to make informed decisions about their health.