Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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St Michael’s House special school is eligible for the Hot School meals scheme. There has been no change in the funding available to the school.

I understand from discussions between the school and my officials that the school has had difficulties in procuring a Hot School Meals supplier. My officials will contact the school again to offer advice on the different options available.

I trust this clarifies the matter.

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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A specific standard was set for School Meals under the Nutritional Standards for School Meals and Nutritional Standards for Hot School Meals. These were based on the Food Safety Authority of Ireland Food Based Dietary Recommendations for healthy eating, which were developed by a technical working group led by:

• the Health and Wellbeing Programme of the Department of Health
• Safefood, and
• the Healthy Eating and Active Living Programme in the Health Service Executive.

A set list of ingredients and cooking methods are not stipulated as part of the programme.

My department has an oversight role in relation to the School Meals Programme and conducts regular inspections of schools which includes reviewing the menu. Under the existing audit process, some 400 schools are inspected annually by my department.

Under tender documentation, the menu is to accommodate those with food intolerances and allergies, such as lactose-free, vegetarian or gluten-free, for example. In addition, the supplier is required to check these details with the school upon award of the contract, in order to accommodate those children. The supplier must also provide clearly visible menu boards with an allergens list.

All schools must submit a sample menu with their application for the School Meals Programme. Funding will not be provided for food that does not comply with these standards. All participating schools must also submit to my department a signed Service Level Agreement which clearly sets out the school’s responsibilities and obligations in terms of compliance with nutritional standards.

My department participates in the Department of Health’s Obesity Policy Implementation Oversight Group. This provides strategic oversight, coordination, and direction for cross-Departmental and cross-sectoral actions in this area.

In December 2024 this Department established an interdepartmental working group, which includes the Department of Health, the Department Education and the Department of Children, Equality and Disability, to oversee and make recommendations on the operation of the scheme, including in relation to nutrition inspection and evaluation.