Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 5 February 2025
676. Deputy Danny Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Social Protection if parents are entitled to have information regarding where the ingredients are sourced for the school meals recently rolled out in primary schools in Kerry and throughout the country; if this information is available for each meal provided to school children; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2734/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra683. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Social Protection the current quality standards for hot school lunches; and the way these standards are monitored and maintained. [2873/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra689. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Social Protection if a healthy-meal approach is taken or nutritional experts consulted for the provision of hot meals in schools, which contain many additives, a prevalence of fructose and palm oil in their ingredients; if the nutritional value of the meals can be improved prior to a full roll out across the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2955/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 676, 683 and 689 together.
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.
In 2023, this Department published an independent evidence-based Evaluation of the School Meals Programme which sets out the positive impact the Programme is having in terms of children’s education and wellbeing.
In Budget 2025, it was announced that the Hot School Meals Scheme will be extended to all remaining primary schools in 2025, meaning that approximately 3,200 schools and 550,000 children will be eligible for hot school meals in 2025.
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.
The primary relationship is between the school and supplier. All schools who wish to avail of funding under the programme are responsible for choosing their schools meals 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.
Under the Hot School Meals Scheme, parents can choose food for their child every week from an approved menu which contains a range of options that are offered by the school’s supplier in accordance with Nutritional Standards for School Meals and Nutritional Standards for Hot School Meals.
All schools must submit a sample menu with their application for the School Meals Programme. Funding will not be provided for food that does not comply with these standards. All participating schools must also submit to my Department a signed Service Level Agreement which clearly sets out the school’s responsibilities and obligations in terms of compliance with nutritional standards. Adherence to the agreed Menu options is also monitored.
The menu must also accommodate those with food intolerances and allergies, including those with Coeliac disease. In addition, the supplier is required to check these details with the school upon award of the contract, in order to accommodate those children. The supplier must also provide clearly visible menu boards with an allergens list.
It is not mandatory for school meals suppliers to display a list of ingredients on the individual meals but this information must be displayed on the suppliers website. Where the country of origin of a final food is given and where this is not the same as the origin of the primary ingredient, then the origin of the primary ingredient must also be given.
The Department of Social Protection has an oversight role in relation to the School Meals Programme and conducts regular inspections of schools. Under the existing audit process, some 400 schools are inspected annually by this Department. While the 2024 round of inspections is concluded, we are currently completing final report, to date fewer than 1% of cases were found to have menu compliance issues.
In December 2024 this Department established an interdepartmental working group, which includes the Department of Health, the Department Education and the Department of Children, Equality and Disability, to oversee and make recommendations on the operation of the scheme, including in relation to nutrition inspection and evaluation.
In addition, my Department participates in the Department of Health’s Obesity Policy and Action Plan Implementation Group. This provides strategic oversight, coordination, and direction for cross-Departmental and cross-sectoral actions in this area.
On any occasion, where there may be any concerns about the quality of food provided under the School Meals Programme in any specific school, they should be brought to my Department’s attention, and it will be followed up accordingly.
I trust this clarifies the matter.
