Mattie McGrath (Tipperary South, Independent)
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1156. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the number of children in primary schools in receipt of hot dinners; the number of children who have opted out of meals; the means by which companies are funded when children opt out; whether the provider will still receive payments for children who have opted to receive no meals; if his Department monitors the number of children who are opting out of this service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57943/25]

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.

In Budget 2025, it was announced that the Hot School Meals Scheme will be extended to all remaining primary schools in 2025 meaning that approximately 3,200 schools and 550,000 children will be eligible for hot school meals in 2025 with a budget of €300 million.

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 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.

Applications for the 2025-2026 academic year commenced a few weeks ago and applications continue to be received.

It is important to note that suppliers have a cancellation policy in place, generally requiring 48 hours notice. Parents can cancel meals for their children on a daily or weekly basis. All schools are responsible for reconciling invoices against meal delivery dockets and therefore the school does not pay for cancelled meals that have not been delivered. Funding under this programme is solely for food. Schools can carry over any unused funds from a previous year to the next academic year provided they are continuing in the Schools Meals Programme.

This academic year will be the first year that all primary schools will be eligible for the Hot School Meals. Once the academic year closes analysis will be conducted.

The School Meals Programme is not mandatory for schools. The decision to apply lies with the school principal and board of management. My officials have engaged with schools that had not expressed an interest in joining the programme to ascertain the reasons why. The main reason why some schools decide not to apply is due to a lack of demand from parents for the programme.

I trust this clarifies the matter.