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School Meals Programme

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 1 May 2025

Thursday, 1 May 2025

Questions (101)

Martin Daly

Martin Daly

Martin Daly

Question:

101. Deputy Martin Daly asked the Minister for Social Protection if he will report on the review of nutritional standards in the hot school meals programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21728/25]

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Written answers

Dara Calleary

Minister for Social Protection

There is a already a nutritional standard in place for the School Meals Programme since.  A specific standard was set for School Meals under the Nutritional Standards for School Meals and Nutritional Standards for Hot School Meals.  A technical Nutrition Sub Group comprised of Dietitians from the following organisations was involved in developing these standards:  

• The Irish Nutrition and Dietetic Institute of Ireland,

• The HSE,

• Safefood, and

• The Food Safety Authority of Ireland.

These standards are available to all schools, organisations and suppliers and are publicly available at gov.ie.

Nutritional standards are a priority for me and for the Government.  Therefore given that some people have raised concerns regarding the nutritional value of school meals  I have asked for a review of the scheme’s nutritional standards.  This will be conducted by a dietician who will be supervised by the Department of Health and in coordination with the Interdepartmental Group on School Meals.  I have asked for a report on the nutritional standards be submitted to me by the end of the year. 

In the meantime, it is important to note that schools are required to apply, and ensure that their provider adheres to, the standards already in place.  The Department also has an inspection regime in place to check that menus adhere to this standard.

Finally, it is parents who select the food that they wish to be served to their child from this menu.  At present one of the options on the menu is a 'cheat meal' that should only be availed off once per week.  Pending the report of the review group I have instructed that this cheat option be removed.  Accordingly, food that is high in saturated fat, sugar and salt will be removed from the school menus by September 2025.

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