Michael Cahill (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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1389. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection to address issues pertaining to the hot meals programme for special schools (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18665/25]

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.

If a parent or teacher has a concern about the meals being provided, they must bring this to the principal’s attention. The principal must address any concern with the supplier, if they are not adhering to the standards on the contract and have the situation rectified. If the supplier is not complying with the contract, they should as the awarding body for the contract with the supplier consider alternatives.

Under the Programme for Government my department will continue to expand and improve the Hot School Meals Schemeand 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.

I trust this clarifies the matter.