Written answers
Thursday, 25 September 2025
Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection
School Meals Programme
Louis O'Hara (Galway East, Sinn Fein)
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299. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if he has concerns about the quality of meals being provided under the hot school meals scheme; if he has concerns about the amount of food provided under the scheme being binned due to these issues; if he has engaged with meal providers regarding this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50996/25]
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 Nutritional Standards for School Meals have been in place since the scheme's inception and were developed by a technical Nutrition Subgroups comprised of:
- Dieticians from the Irish Nutrition and Dietetic Institute of Ireland,
- The HSE,
- Safefood, and
- The Food Safety Authority of Ireland.
I have directed that a review of the scheme’s nutritional standards be undertaken. This is being 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, was removed from the school menu from September 2025. Up to now this food had been permitted, as an option, once a week at most when selected by the child’s parents.
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. It is the responsibility of each school board to administer the Programme in their school including handling the procurement process in accordance with the rules and guidelines set out by the Schools Procurement Unit of the Department of Education and Youth.
As stipulated by the Schools Procurement’s Unit, that 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 from school meals as this is managed at school level under 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.
Ruth Coppinger (Dublin West, Solidarity)
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300. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the reasons given to his Department for the refusal of a school (details supplied) to sign up to the hot meals scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51001/25]
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.
My department provides the funding directly to the school. The primary relationship is between the school and supplier. 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, including in relation to compliance with Nutritional Standards for School Meals and Nutritional Standards for Hot School Meals.
While all primary schools are eligible, the School Meals Programme is not mandatory for schools. The decision to apply lies with the school principal and board of management.
I trust this clarifies the matter.
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