Written answers

Wednesday, 22 January 2025

Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection

School Meals Programme

Photo of Cian O'CallaghanCian O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay North, Social Democrats)
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878. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if she will review an aspect of the school meals scheme (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1265/25]

Photo of Heather HumphreysHeather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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The objective of the School Meals Programme is to provide regular, nutritious food to children to support them in taking full advantage of the education provided to them. The programme is an important component of policies to encourage school attendance and extra educational achievement.

The Nutritional Standards for School Meals were developed by a working group led by the Health and Wellbeing Programme in the Department of Health, in consultation with Safefood and the Healthy Eating and Active Living Programme in the Health Service Executive.

Each school is required to provide a menu choice of at least two different meals per day and where required, provide a vegetarian/vegan option and an option that caters for students’ religious and cultural/ dietary requirements. The food provided for those with allergies must comply with the Standards.

All schools who wish to avail of funding are responsible for choosing their school meals supplier on the open market in a fair and transparent manner in accordance with public procurement rules. The primary relationship is between school and supplier.

Under tender documentation, as stipulated by the Schools Procurement’s Unit, the menu is to accommodate those with food intolerances and allergies, including those with Coeliac disease. In addition, the supplier is required to check these details with the school upon award of the contract, in order to accommodate those potential customers. The supplier must also provide clearly visible menu boards with an allergens list.

This matter should be raised with the Principal concerned directly and they should liaise with the supplier to discuss extending the meat options for any students with Coeliac disease at the school.

I trust this clarifies the matter.

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