Richard Boyd Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, People Before Profit Alliance)
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239. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection her plans to ensure that single-use plastics are not used as containers for the hot school meals scheme (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27218/19]

Regina Doherty (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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As part of Budget 2019, I announced a pilot scheme from September 2019, providing Hot School Meals in 36 primary schools for an estimated 7,200 children at a cost of €1m for 2019 and €2.5m in 2020.

All 3,239 primary schools were issued with an invitation to submit an expression of interest to participate in the pilot by 12 June. All expressions of interest received will be considered and 36 schools will be selected to participate in the pilot.

In order to be considered for the pilot the school must identify a supplier who will supply (prepare and deliver) the hot meals in line with HACCP and food safety regulations in compliance with the Healthy Ireland ‘Nutrition Standards for School Meals’. The method and logistics of supplying the meals, as well as arrangements regarding packaging are addressed between the school and the supplier. The issues regarding waste and single use plastics will be considered as part of the evaluation of the pilot.

John McGuinness (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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240. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the status of an application for the hot meals project by a school (details supplied); and when a decision will be made. [27318/19]

Regina Doherty (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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As part of Budget 2019, it was announced that DEASP would commence a pilot scheme from September 2019, providing Hot School Meals in 36 primary schools for an estimated 7,200 children at a cost of €1m for 2019 and €2.5m in 2020.

All 3,239 primary schools have been issued with an invitation to submit an expression of interest to participate in the pilot. An expression of interest has been received from the school concerned. All expressions of interest received will be considered and 36 schools will be selected to participate in the pilot. All schools who submitted an expression of interest to participate in the pilot will be contacted soon.

The selection of schools will be random, but will give regard to geographical spread, numbers enrolled, range of suppliers and the overall budget available for the pilot in 2019 and 2020 (€1m and €2.5 respectively).