Darren O'Rourke (Meath East, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context

119. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if he is aware that many parents are completely dissatisfied with the school meals scheme and concerned about the quality and nutritional value of the lunches provided to schools; and the measures being taken to restore confidence in the hot school meals scheme. [59669/25]

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

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.

In 2023, my Department published an independent evidence-based Evaluation of the School Meals Programme which sets out the positive impact the Programme is having in terms of children’s education and wellbeing.

The key finding was an overwhelming consensus among all participants in the evaluation that the Programme is effective. Of the respondent parents surveyed 83.44% agreed that the programme was positive. Similarly, 83.12% wanted the School Meals Programme extended to all schools, with a further 81.9% supporting the universal provision of hot meals.

The Nutritional Standards for School Meals have been in place since its 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.

Nutritional standards are a priority for me and 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 and only when selected by the child's parents.

I trust this clarifies the matter.