Jen Cummins (Dublin South Central, Social Democrats)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

776. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection his plans to ensure students in small schools have access to hot school meals as a result of their provider ceasing the supply; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48701/25]

Jen Cummins (Dublin South Central, Social Democrats)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

779. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection to provide the reasons some schools are currently unable to provide hot school meals to their students, in tabular form. [48711/25]

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I propose to take Questions Nos. 776 and 779 together.

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.

In Budget 2025, it was announced that the Hot School Meals Scheme would be extended to all remaining primary schools in 2025 meaning that approximately 3,200 schools and 550,000 children are now eligible for hot school meals in the 2025/2026 academic school year.

The programme is designed so that meals are provided by contracted food business operators, with the responsibility for food safety and compliance with relevant legislative obligations placed on these professional providers and not on the schools themselves. This ensures children benefit from a reliable, high-quality service, while schools are protected from having to take on responsibilities more appropriate to the providers, who will have the necessary expertise and experience in food provision.

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.

Jen Cummins (Dublin South Central, Social Democrats)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

777. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the timeframe for revised procurement documents for hot school meals; when they were issued to schools and providers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48709/25]

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The Department of Education with the support of the Interdepartmental Working Group on School Meals, recently finalised the 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.

As advised by my Department in July, where schools have an existing contract with a supplier, these contracts may continue for the term of the contract. When this contract expires, a procurement process using the new Schools Procurement Unit template documents - which were published on August 15th 2025 - should commence.

The documents were 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 the large school meals providers, 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 are available to support schools and their boards of management through the procurement process.

Jen Cummins (Dublin South Central, Social Democrats)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

778. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the support being provided to affected schools and parents to mitigate the disruption to schools unable to provide hot school meals. [48710/25]

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

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 programme is designed so that meals are provided by contracted food business operators, with the responsibility for food safety and compliance with relevant legislative obligations placed on these professional providers and not on the schools themselves. This ensures children benefit from a reliable, high-quality service, while schools are protected from having to take on responsibilities more appropriate to the providers, who will have the necessary expertise and experience in food provision. However, if a school decides to be a food business organisation doing so brings with it significant additional legal risks, insurance implications, costs, training, operational and employer responsibilities.

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.

Jen Cummins (Dublin South Central, Social Democrats)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

780. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection her plans to mitigate the level of food waste being experienced in schools as a result of hot school meals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48712/25]

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Under the School Meals Programme, the primary relationship is between the school and supplier. My department provides the funding for the meals directly to the school and it is the responsibility of each school board to administer the Programme in their school including handling the procurement process.

The Schools Procurement Unit, under the Department of Education, provides guidance to schools for all procurements including the School Meals Programme.

In terms of packaging and waste, under tender documentation, the school meal supplier is responsible for operating policies which progressively address environmental considerations such as waste and packaging. Depending on the school size and school meal requirements, the school will decide on the method and logistics that best meets their needs in line with environmental standards.

In addition, under tender documentation requirements, the school is committed to the principles of environmental management in its activities, and it encourages the implementation of sustainability principles in its procurement practices. The supplier should make all reasonable efforts to minimise adverse environmental impact in the methods of services delivery and in materials used. My department does not collect details of the amount of additional wastage caused by school meals.

Under the Programme for Government, I will continue to expand and improve the Free 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 food waste and the use of recyclable packaging.

Jen Cummins (Dublin South Central, Social Democrats)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

781. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if parents will be given the option to opt out of school meals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48713/25]

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

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.

Under the Hot School Meals Scheme, parents can choose food for their child every week from an approved menu which contains a range of options that are offered by the school’s supplier in accordance with Nutritional Standards for School Mealsand Nutritional Standards for Hot School Meals. Under tender documentation, as stipulated by the Schools Procurement’s Unit, the menu is to accommodate those with food intolerances and allergies.

Parents can choose to opt of of the programme at any time; however to ensure that the school is fully aware of any issues regarding the programme I would recommend that the parents inform the principal if there are issues with the programme that can be rectified.

Jen Cummins (Dublin South Central, Social Democrats)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

782. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection his plans to inspect more schools this academic year than last academic year. [48714/25]

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

My department has an oversight role in relation to the School Meals Programme and conducts regular inspections of schools which includes reviewing the menu. Under the existing audit process, some 400 schools are inspected onsite annually by my department. In total, 121 desk assessments were carried out in 2024. This represents a 20% total check on schools. For 2025, 400 schools will be inspected and the desk assessments will be increased to circa 250 cases as more schools become eligible to join the programme. Ongoing audits can increase or decrease based on risk assessments levels.

These inspections assist my department in ensuring standards are being met in relation to different areas of the School Meals Programme.

Jen Cummins (Dublin South Central, Social Democrats)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

783. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the timeframe for publication of the nutritional review of hot school meals. [48716/25]

Jen Cummins (Dublin South Central, Social Democrats)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

784. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the timeframe for publication of the nutritional review of hot school meals. [48717/25]

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I propose to take Questions Nos. 783 and 784 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 this 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.