Michael Cahill (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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261. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection to give greater flexibility in the hot meals programme menu being offered to children in special schools (details supplied), especially for children with additional sensory needs and specific dietary preferences; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16404/25]

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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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.

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 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.

Under the Hot School Meals Scheme, parents can choose food for their child every week from an approved menu which contains a range of options that are offered by the school’s supplier in accordance with Nutritional Standards for School Meals and Nutritional Standards for Hot School Meals.

The menu must also accommodate those with food intolerances and allergies, including children with specific dietary requirements in special schools. 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.

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.

Under the Programme for Government the Department will continue to expand and improve the Hot School Meals Scheme and ensure that suppliers adhere to robust guidelines on the nutritional value of meals, the dietary requirements of students, reduce food waste and utilise recyclable packaging.

On any occasion, where there may be any concerns about the options available for children with specific dietary preferences in any specific school, they should be brought to my Department’s attention, and it will be followed up accordingly.

William Aird (Laois, Fine Gael)
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262. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the measures he will take to ensure that food produced in Ireland will be included in the first instance for hot school meals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16432/25]

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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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 Department provides the funding for the meals directly to the school. All schools who wish to avail of funding under the programme are responsible for choosing their schools meals supplier on the open market, in a fair and transparent manner in accordance with public procurement rules. These rules clearly define the successful tenderer’s responsibilities and obligations, including in relation to compliance with Nutritional Standards for School Meals and Nutritional Standards for Hot School Meals.

All school meals suppliers are required to comply with the Food Safety Authority of Ireland Hazard Analysis & Critical Control Point (HACCP) guidelines and with Nutritional Standards for School Meals and Nutritional Standards for Hot School Meals.

It should also be noted that under EU laws, and as reflected in public procurement rules, it cannot be specified that food must originate from a particular country. That would be in breach of EU single market rules.