Barry Ward (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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1365. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the position regarding the hot school meals programme; if schools, including a school (details supplied), will be considered for inclusion; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45586/25]

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 Hot School Meals began as a pilot project in 2019 with some 30 schools. Since then it has expanded annually. There are currently 3,200 schools and 550,000 children eligible for the Hot School Meals.

Schools apply annually for the School Meals Programme and choose the start date of their programme.

All schools who wish to avail of funding are responsible for choosing their school meals supplier on the open market, in a fair and transparent manner in accordance with public procurement rules.

The Schools Procurement Unit, which is grant funded by the Department of Education, provides guidance to schools for all procurements matters pertaining to the School Meals Programme.

Private schools are not funded by the Department of Education, overseen by its inspectorate, or subject to requirements such as curriculum, calendar year, and other policies specific to the Department of Education. Therefore they don’t have roll numbers. As the school referenced above is a private school they are not eligible for school meals.