Barry Ward (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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1423. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if his attention has been drawn to cases whereby schools that have been selected for the hot school meals programme but wish instead to provide cold food options only, including salads and sandwiches; if there is a provision to allow for that; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19579/25]

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 ethos of the Hot School Meals Programme is that every child should have access to at least one hot meal per day.

However, when schools are applying for the School Meals Programme, those eligible for the Hot School Meals can choose to apply for a cold lunch option. This consists of a sandwich or bread roll with a piece of fruit and a drink. Examples of fillings for the sandwich or bread roll can consist of meat, poultry, egg, salad or cheese.

I trust this clarifies the matter.