Barry Ward (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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83. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the mechanism for any primary school participating in the hot school meal programme that have concerns related to the nutritional value of meals provided, plastic waste or any other issue; the way in which this can be rectified; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59973/25]

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. 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.

If parents have any concerns regarding the meals being provided, plastic waste or any other issue, they much bring it to the attention of the School Principal and or Board of Management. The school as the contracting authority will raise the matters with the supplier who will address the issues raised.

Nutritional standards are a priority for me and for the Government. I have asked for a review of the scheme’s nutritional standards. This is being conducted by a dietician supervised by the Department of Health and in coordination with the Interdepartmental Group on School Meals. A report on the nutritional standards to be submitted to me by the end of the year.

In the meantime, food that is high in saturated fat, sugar and salt has been removed from the school menus since September 2025. Up to now this food had been permitted once a week at most and only when selected by the child's parents.

The Schools Procurement Unit, which is grant funded by the Department of Education, provides guidance to schools for all procurements including the School Meals Programme. This includes guidelines to promote sustainability, reduce plastic and non-recyclable packaging.

Under the Programme for Government I will continue to expand and improve the Free Hot School Meals programme which requires that suppliers adhere to robust guidelines on the nutritional value of meals, the dietary requirements of students, the reduction food waste and the use recyclable packaging.

I trust this clarifies the matter.