Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 30 April 2026
84. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Social Protection for an update on the provision of the hot school meals programme by not-for-profit suppliers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31209/26]
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.
In Budget 2025, it was announced that the Hot School Meals would be extended to all remaining primary schools in 2025, meaning that approximately 3,200 schools and 550,000 children are now eligible for a Hot School Meals. This equates to the distribution of up to 3.4 million school meals per week.
My department provides the funding for the meals directly to the school. All schools are responsible for choosing their school meals supplier on the open market, in a fair and transparent manner in accordance with public procurement rules.
The Department of Education and Youth Schools Procurement Unit provide guidance to schools for all procurements including the School Meals Programme. They have devised mandatory template documentation. These rules clearly define the successful tenderers responsibilities and obligations, including adherence to the nutritional standards. These templates provide the option of extending the academic year contract twice, for a year so procurement in the main is conducted every three years. The 2025/26 academic year is drawing to a close in the coming weeks.
There are currently some 300 suppliers in the School Meals Programme with the majority of these supplying one to three local schools. There are numerous meals on wheels and social enterprises in the the programme.
Schools are now preparing for the the 2026/2027 academic year. Any schools with a a School Meals contract with their supplier that is expiring, that are changing supplier or joining the programme can now start the procurement process for the 2026/2027 academic year using the mandatory Department of Education and Youth School Procurement Units template documentation.
Any registered Food Business Operator, including not-for-profit suppliers, meals on wheels service, local café, restaurant, caterers, can become a School Meals provider by submitting a tender response to a schools call for tenders which they submit via e-tenders. The School Boards of Management tender evaluation team will evaluate all tender responses and notify the successful and unsuccessful tenderers.
I trust this clarifies the matter.
