Written answers
Wednesday, 17 September 2025
Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection
Special Educational Needs
Louise O'Reilly (Dublin Fingal West, Sinn Fein)
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730. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the number of schools under contract to a supplier (details supplied) under the hot school meals programme; the number of schools that exclusively cater to additional educational needs; the number that are DEIS schools; the number that are DEIS+ schools; his plans to provide parents of children affected by the cessation of the services with a stipend while a new contractor is being procured; the options for school meal provision for children affected in the meantime; if alternative cold lunches will be subsidised or provided by his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47864/25]
Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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The Hot School Meals Programme was established to ensure that children across Ireland have access to safe, nutritious meals during the school day. This is a core Government commitment to support children’s health, wellbeing, and educational outcomes.
The table below gives the breakdown of schools where the supplier the Lunch Bag and Fresh Today who have the same CEO withdrew school meals service.
| SCHOOL TYPES | NON DEIS | DEIS | TOTAL |
|---|---|---|---|
| Primary | 37 | 38 | 75 |
| Special Education | 4 | 0 | 4 |
The recent refinements to the procurement system, which underpins the programme, strengthens it by ensuring consistent standards across all participating schools. They also reflect the combined input of several Government Departments and State agencies, ensuring that schools and providers operate safely and compliantly across areas such as food safety, health and safety, fire safety, and building regulations.
No new legislation has been introduced nor has there been a change in the application of the law.
Any school that is currently under contract can continue to utilise their food business operator. The schools where the food business operator has ceased delivery of school meals have been sent information on the 4 September outlining options for the school to ensure they have access to the school meals programme.
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