Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 16 December 2025
628. Deputy John Paul O'Shea asked the Minister for Social Protection the types of businesses providing hot school meals and the flexibility that is allowed under the procurement guidelines; if local restaurants and supermarkets are providing hot school meals as well as larger national providers; if the preference is for locally sourced meals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [71733/25]
View answerThe 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.
My department provides the funding for the meals directly to the school. The Department of Education and Youth, through the School Procurement Unit, is the lead in relation to all procurement in schools. The primary relationship is between the school and supplier. It is the responsibility of each school board to select a supplier on the open market, in a fair and transparent manner in accordance with public procurement rules.
The programme is designed so that meals are provided by contracted food business operators, with the responsibility for food safety and compliance with relevant legislative obligations placed on these professional providers and not on the schools themselves. This ensures children benefit from a reliable, high-quality service, while schools are protected from having to take on responsibilities more appropriate to the providers, who will have the necessary expertise and experience in food provision.
When schools tender for a School Meals Supplier all registered Food Business Operators are eligible to submit a tender response. This includes local cafe, restaurants, meals on wheels services etc. There are over 300 suppliers in the Programme with the majority delivering to one and two schools. The successful tenderer must comply with Nutritional Standards for School Meals and Nutritional Standards for Hot School Meals.
I trust this clarifies the matter.
