Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 18 September 2025
370. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health if her Department has participated in the Department of Social Protection-led review of the 2017 nutrition standards; to provide documented advice on aligning Ireland's standards with US added-sugar limits and sodium targets, and with Nordic models specifying the percentage of daily energy from the school meal; and to provide timelines for adoption. [49516/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra371. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health to provide any nutrition surveillance of meals served under the scheme (macro- and micronutrients, free sugars, salt, fibre), including independent laboratory verification since 2023; and if no surveillance was carried out the reason for the absence of monitoring. [49517/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra372. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health the food-environment controls that exist for vending, tuck shops and fund raising on school premises (sale of HFSS products); the means by which they are enforced; and to provide the legal basis and inspection data since 2023. [49518/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra375. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health the HSE estimates of the health impact (BMI, anaemia, dental caries, attendance) of high-sugar options in school meals; and whether you have recommended added-sugar caps aligned to the USDA final rule. [49521/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra376. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health whether her Department supports legislating for statutory school-meal nutrition standards and inspection powers; and if not, to provide the evidence base. [49522/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Question Nos 370, 371, 372, 375 and 376 together.
A Healthy Weight for Ireland, the Obesity Policy and Action Plan (OPAP) - A Healthy Weight for Ireland - Obesity Policy and Action Plan - was launched in September 2016 under the auspices of the Healthy Ireland Framework (Healthy Ireland: A Framework for Improved Health and Wellbeing 2013-2025). It was developed in recognition of the growing need for a coordinated policy response to the increasing problem of obesity in Ireland.
OPAP covers a 10-year period up to 2025 and aims to reverse obesity trends, prevent health complications, and reduce the overall burden for individuals, families, the health system, and the wider society and economy. It recognises that obesity is a complex, multi-faceted problem and needs a multi-pronged solution, with every sector of society playing its part.
A number of initiatives have been developed under the auspices of OPAP, some examples which promote health and well-being in school aged children include:
Nutritional Standards and the DSP led School Meals Programme
The Nutritional Standards for School Meals have been in place since its inception and were developed by a technical Nutrition Subgroups comprised of: Dietitians from the Irish Nutrition and Dietetic Institute of Ireland (INDI) , the HSE, Safefood, and the Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI).
These standards were based on Scientific Recommendations for Food-Based Dietary Guidelines developed by the Food Safety Authority of Ireland, Public Health Nutrition Sub-Committee 2011, and updated in 2016. Goals were established for the main macronutrients (energy providing nutrients) implicated in disease prevention in Ireland – namely, total fat, saturated fat, fibre and non-milk extrinsic sugars and subsequently translated into food group portion sizes. The FSAI Public Health Nutrition Sub- Committee are currently reviewing scientific evidence in the development of food based healthy eating guidelines for adolescents and this work is due early next year. The standards for School Meals are available to all schools, organisations and suppliers and are publicly available on gov.ie and Safeood.ie websites.
An evaluation of the School Meals Programme was conducted in 2022 by RSM Ireland on behalf of the Department of Social Protection. The report highlighted the effectiveness of the programme, including improved school attendance and interest in learning. This is in line with results with international data showing the positive impact of school meals on academic performance through increased attendance & better concentration during class time. In addition results from the evaluation suggests the programme saves families money and time on food preparation.
In December 2024, the Department of Social Protection established an interdepartmental working group, which includes the Department of Health, the Department of Education, the Food Safety Authority of Ireland and the Department of Children, Equality and Disability, to oversee and make recommendations on the operation of the scheme, including nutrition inspection and evaluation. This is a standing group which will make recommendations on matters within its remit on an ongoing basis.
In 2025, the Minister for Social Protection requested a review of the scheme’s nutritional standards, and this will be conducted by a dietitian, supervised by the Department of Health, and in coordination with the Interdepartmental Group on School Meals. A report on nutritional standards is expected to be submitted to DSP by the end of this year. The dietitian has recently been appointed from the HSE to carry out a review of the nutritional standards for hot school meals with a view to developing an audit mechanism to ensure compliance.
In the meantime, the Minister for Social Protection has requested that Food Business Operators remove menu items that are high in saturated fat, sugar and salt from the school menus by end of September 2025. Up to now this food had been permitted once a week at most and only when selected by the child's parents.
The Department of Social Protection has an oversight role in relation to the School Meals Programme and conducts regular inspections of schools which includes reviewing the menu. Under the existing audit process, some 400 schools are inspected onsite annually by that department. In total, 121 desk assessments were carried out in 2024. This represents a 20% total check on schools. For 2025, 400 schools will be inspected, and the desk assessments will be increased to circa 250 cases as more schools become eligible to join the programme.
These inspections assist the Department of Social Protection in ensuring standards are being met in relation to different areas of the School Meals Programme. Any future decision to introduce legislation with respect to the School Meals Scheme, would be a decision for the Department of Social Protection as they have responsibly for the Programme.
Childhood Surveillance under auspice of OPAP
Surveillance of child growth to determine population levels of children living with malnutrition, overweight and obesity is conducted through the WHO Childhood Obesity Surveillance Initiative (COSI). The report of the 6th Round of COSI data collection (2021-2023) was published in June 2024. It shows that one in five primary school children are now living with overweight or obesity, a small overall improvement. However, this figure remains at one in four for children in DEIS schools.
The COSI report also analysed the school environments across all participating primary schools in Ireland, which demonstrated that no primary schools had vending machines present. As secondary schools are responsible for supplementary fundraising on an individual basis, the use of vending machines as an income stream is determined by a School Principal and their Board of Management. The Department of Education would be best placed to offer further guidance on management of vending machines procurement in secondary schools.
Health Promotion Initiatives delivered through OPAP
In collaboration with the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Marine (DAFM) and Department of Education, he Department also supports the implementation of Food Dudes and the Incredible Edibles programme, which aims to teach children how to grow their own fruit and vegetables and teaching them the importance of maintaining a healthy, balanced diet by providing seed packs to primary school classes to allow them to grow their own produce.
Step 2 of the OPAP is to “regulate for a healthier environment". Changing the obesogenic environment is recognised as a critical factor underpinning the success of maintaining the population at a healthy weight.
The Sugar Sweetened Drinks Tax (SSDT) in 2018 was introduced to help reduce rates of overweight and obesity in Ireland. An evaluation of the SSDT was conducted in 2024, this evaluation found that policy objectives of reducing sugar consumption from sugar-sweetened drinks (SSDs) and accelerating product reformulation of SSDs are being met. This has been reflected in the National Dietary consumption surveys. The 2019 National Children’s Food Survey found that free sugars make up just under 10% of children’s energy intake. This is an improvement compared to the early 2000s, when it was 16%.
Step 3 of the OPAP is to “secure appropriate support from the commercial sector to play its part in obesity prevention.” Action 3.1 of this step is to agree food industry reformulation targets and review progress.
The Food Reformulation Task Force, is a strategic partnership between the Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) and Healthy Ireland, established in 2022, with funding provided by the Department of Health on an annual basis in order to carry out implementation of the roadmap to drive a food reformulation strategy for Ireland. Funding was extended to 2027 for the FSAI to continue working with the food industry to reduce nutrients of concern, such as fat, salt and sugar in commonly consumed food in Ireland. In terms of sugar, their target is to get added sugars below 10% of daily energy intake, and eventually down to 5%. This work has a direct impact on the nutrition quality of commonly consumed foods by the Irish population.
The Department of Health is in the process of preparing the next OPAP, and as part of our stakeholder engagement and online public consultation, addressing the food environment has been identified as one of the key themes. As a new obesity policy is under development; this theme can be explored further. We intend to ensure that all Government Departments play a role in enabling a healthier food environment and a healthier built environment to support our children and all citizens and improve health outcomes.
