Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Social Democrats)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

758. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the steps he is taking to address excessive consumption of unhealthy foods in preschool settings particularly in relation to celebrations (details supplied); if guidance has been issued to preschools on the consumption of unhealthy foods; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42307/21]

Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The Department of Health is in the process of finalising a new set of Nutrition Standards for Early Learning and Care settings in consultation with my Department. These Standards are due for publication in early October.

In advance of publication, the issue of consumption of unhealthy foods referenced during certain celebrations are addressed within the Standards. The following is an extract from the Standards relating to parties and celebrations:

4.2 Celebrations, trips and rewards

It is recognised that there are instances where the food provided varies due to the location or the nature of the occasion such as field trips and birthday celebrations. Food provided on these days still needs to comply with the Standards. Please consider non-food treats to mark these occasions.

Dealing with birthdays

In a large service a birthday may be celebrated every couple of days. If children fill up on cakes and treat foods they will have little room left for the nutritious food that they need. It is important to celebrate and mark birthdays so here are tips on dealing with them

- Mark the occasion with fun games and activities rather than foods

- If a parent insists that a cake is sent to the service ask them to keep it small and keep servings for children to bite size amounts. Send leftovers home with the parent.

- If a number of birthday fall on the one week consider marking them together.