Written answers

Tuesday, 29 July 2025

Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection

School Meals Programme

Photo of Conor SheehanConor Sheehan (Limerick City, Labour)
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1839. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection when the hot school meals programme will be expanded to the schools announced in April 2025, given that these schools still have not received the necessary paperwork to begin the process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43077/25]

Photo of Conor SheehanConor Sheehan (Limerick City, Labour)
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1840. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection when the paperwork necessary to begin the hot school meals programme will be distributed to schools; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43078/25]

Photo of Conor SheehanConor Sheehan (Limerick City, Labour)
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1841. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the reason schools were not notified during the school year that the necessary paperwork for the hot school meals programme was not ready (details supplied).; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43079/25]

Photo of Conor SheehanConor Sheehan (Limerick City, Labour)
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1842. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if her Department will announce the delay of the hot school meals programme expansion or if principals will have to communicate this to parents; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43080/25]

Photo of Dara CallearyDara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 1839 to 1842, inclusive, together.

My department established an interdepartmental working group, which includes the Department of Health, the Department of Education and Youth, the Food Safety Authority of Ireland and the Department of Children, Disability and Equality, to oversee and make recommendations on the operation of the School Meals Programme.

I have directed that a review of the scheme’s nutritional standards be undertaken. This will be conducted by a dietician in coordination with the Interdepartmental Group on School Meals. I have asked for a report on the nutritional standards to 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 menu by September 2025. Up to now this food had been permitted, as an option, once a week at most and only when selected by the child's parents.

The Department of Education with the support of the Interdepartmental Working Group on School Meals, is currently finalising procurement documentation for the Hot School Meals Programme, the use of which will be a mandatory requirement for all schools for participation in the programme. Work is well advanced on finalising these documents which should be available early to mid-August from the Department of Education.

The documents are being updated to support and protect schools through the procurement process, ensuring that contractual arrangements comply with food safety legislation, planning, building regulations, and health and safety requirements.

All schools were sent individual correspondence advising them and their boards of management of their next steps. All existing schools providing Hot School Meals will continue to do so. For new schools joining the programme for the first time in the 2025-2026 academic year, they have an option of providing the cold lunch option while they are completing the procurement process for the Hot School Meals.

Information meetings have been held with educational partners who represent school bodies and with relevant school leader representatives.

The Schools Procurement Unit in the Department of Education, provides guidance to schools for all procurements including the School Meals Programme. Webinars, videos and dedicated call centres will be available to support schools and their boards of management through the procurement process.

As stated in the Programme for Government, I will continue to expand and improve the Hot School Meals programme and ensure that suppliers adhere to robust guidelines on the nutritional value of meals, the dietary requirements of students, the reduction of food waste and the use of recyclable packaging. It is my intention that this expansion will occur over the lifetime of this Government.

I trust this clarifies the matter.

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