Cathal Crowe (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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80. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if his Department has any metrics for tracking wastage in the hot school meals programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50520/25]

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.

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.

As the primary relationship is between the school and supplier my department does not have data in relation to food waste. All suppliers have a meal cancellation policy.

In terms of packaging and waste, under tender documentation, and as stipulated by the Schools Procurement’s Unit, 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 waste from school meals. This is handled at school level in line with the relevant contract.

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 of food waste and the use of recyclable packaging.

I trust this clarifies the matter.

Peadar Tóibín (Meath West, Aontú)
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81. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection his Department’s processes in terms of purchasing Irish produce for schools under the national procurement thresholds; and to outline the economic value of Irish beef purchased by schools through his Department in the past five years. [50621/25]

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.

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. All schools who wish to avail of funding under the programme are responsible for choosing their schools meals supplier on the open market, in a fair and transparent manner in accordance with public procurement rules. These rules clearly define the successful tenderer’s responsibilities and obligations.

Under EU laws, and as reflected in public procurement rules, it cannot be specified that food must originate from a particular country. That would be in breach of EU single market rules.

Under the Programme for Government, I will continue to expand and improve the Free Hot School Meals programme and 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.

I trust this clarifies the matter.

Paul Donnelly (Dublin West, Sinn Fein)
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82. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the budget allocation for the school meals programme in 2023, 2024 and 2025, in tabular form. [50639/25]

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 budget allocation for the 2023, 2024 and 2025 years are shown below.