David Cullinane (Waterford, Sinn Fein)
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1430. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if he has concerns regarding the quality consistency of the school meals programme with regard to the Healthy Ireland framework, the principles of Sláintecare, and concerns raised by clinicians and parents regarding nutritional value; if he has considered a review of the scheme from a health perspective; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19696/25]

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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The Nutritional Standards for School Meals were developed by a technical Nutrition Subgroups comprised of:

Dieticians from the Irish Nutrition and Dietetic Institute of Ireland;

the HSE;

Safefood; and

The Food Safety Authority of Ireland.

These standards are available to all schools, organisations and suppliers and are publicly available here: Nutritional Standards for School Meals.

Nutritional standards are a priority for me and for the Government. I have asked for a review of the scheme’s nutritional standards and this will be conducted by a dietician who will be supervised by the Department of Health and in coordination with the Interdepartmental Group on School Meals. I have asked for a report on the nutritional standards be submitted to me by the end of the year.

In the meantime, food that is high in saturated fat, sugar and salt will be removed from the school menus by September 2025. Up to now this food had been permitted once a week at most and only when selected by the child's parents.

I trust this clarifies the matter.

Conor McGuinness (Waterford, Sinn Fein)
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1431. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection her Department's plans to review the hot school meals programme with regard to nutritional content and consistency with State-issued public health and dietary advice. [19712/25]

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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The Nutritional Standards for School Meals were developed by a technical Nutrition Subgroups comprised of:

Dieticians from the Irish Nutrition and Dietetic Institute of Ireland;

the HSE;

Safefood; and

The Food Safety Authority of Ireland.

These standards are available to all schools, organisations and suppliers and are publicly available here: Nutritional Standards for School Meals.

Nutritional standards are a priority for me and for the Government. I have asked for a review of the scheme’s nutritional standards and this will be conducted by a dietician who will be supervised by the Department of Health and in coordination with the Interdepartmental Group on School Meals. I have asked for a report on the nutritional standards be submitted to me by the end of the year.

In the meantime, food that is high in saturated fat, sugar and salt will be removed from the school menus by September 2025. Up to now this food had been permitted once a week at most and only when selected by the child's parents.

I trust this clarifies the matter.