John Paul O'Shea
Question:627. Deputy John Paul O'Shea asked the Minister for Social Protection the names of all suppliers currently involved in the delivery of hot school meals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [71742/25]
View answerTuesday, 16 December 2025
Questions (627)
Written answers
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.
There are over 300 suppliers in the School Meals Programme with the majority of these supplying one to three local schools. There are eleven meals on wheels organisations supplying forty schools and there are nine large school meal providers. The nine large suppliers are Fresh Today, The Lunch Bag, Glanmore, Carambola, School Food Company, Bradburys, Ashdale Catering, Gourmet Kids, Martina's Homemade Foods. My officials in this Department have been working with officials in the Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht and they have compiled a list of supports available to local community organisations who may wish to expand their operation into the school meals area. This information has been supplied to some rural schools experiencing difficulties obtaining a supplier and a range of other community organisations.
I trust this clarifies the matter.