Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 16 December 2025
630. Deputy John Paul O'Shea asked the Minister for Social Protection if he has received the report in relation to the nutritional standards for school meals; if this report has examined the menus being offered by suppliers; if it has identified significant variances in terms of meal quality between suppliers; when he intends to publish the report and its recommendations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [71735/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Nutritional Standards for School Meals have been in place since its inception and were developed by a technical Nutrition Subgroups comprised of:
• Dieticians from the Irish Nutrition and Dietetic Institute of Ireland,
• The HSE,
• Safefood, and
• The Food Safety Authority of Ireland.
These standards are available to all schools, organisations and suppliers and are publicly available on gov.ie.
Nutritional standards are a priority for me and I have directed that a review of the scheme’s nutritional standards be undertaken. This is being conducted by a dietician in coordination with the Interdepartmental Group on School Meals. Menus and supporting documentation from the nine large suppliers have been requested. This report is to be submitted to me by the end of the year and a decision on publication will be made once I have had a chance to consider it fully.
In the meantime, food that is high in saturated fat, sugar and salt, was removed from the school menu from September 2025. Up to now this food had been permitted, as an option, once a week at most and only when selected by the child's parents.
I trust this clarifies the matter.
