Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 27 January 2026
702. Deputy Albert Dolan asked the Minister for Social Protection the metrics or KPIs currently in place to assess meal quality, student satisfaction, and effectiveness of the school meals programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6056/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe 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.
An independent evaluation was published in 2023 to assess the effectiveness of the School Meals Programme and inform future policy direction. The report indicated strong support for extending the School Meals Programme and recommended universal provision by 2030.
The report sets out the positive impact the Programme is having in terms of children’s education and wellbeing. Of the respondent parents surveyed 83% agreed that the programme was positive. Similarly, 83% wanted the School Meals Programme extended to all schools, with a further 82% supporting the universal provision of hot meals.
The Department of Education and Youth with the support of the Interdepartmental Working Group on School Meals developed standardised procurement documentation for the Hot School Meals Programme. Food quality is a requirement throughout the Request for Tender document and therefore a contractual obligation. In addition, specific KPIs are set out in the procurement documentation regarding, Customer Service, Food Ordering and Delivery, Staff, Cleaning and Waste Management, Food and Compliance. As part of these template documents there is a requirement for the contractor to perform regular customer satisfaction surveys.
Under the School Meals Programme, the primary relationship is between the school and supplier. If there is any issue with food quality this should be brought to the schools attention so they can raise it with the supplier to address the issue.
Under the Programme for Government, I will continue to expand and improve the Free Hot School Meals programme and ensure that suppliers adhere to robust guidelines on the nutritional value of meals by carrying out nutritional audits, the dietary requirements of students, the reduction of food waste and the use of recyclable packaging.
I trust this clarifies the matter.
