Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 18 December 2025
441. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Education and Youth if she has concerns regarding aspects of the tendering process (details supplied) for the provision of free school meals; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [73453/25]
View answerAs the Deputy is aware, my colleague the Minster for Social Protection is the policy owner for the School Meals Programme and provides the funding for the meals directly to the school.
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. My Department took the lead in relation to supporting schools in meeting their obligations to public procurement of school meals.
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. 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.
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.
The School Meals Programme is open to all Food Business Operators who meet the selection criteria and mandatory requirements set out in the tender documents.
No new legislation has been introduced nor has there been a change in the application of the law in respect of the provision of schools meals.
