Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 3 March 2026
635. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Social Protection the plans to examine the health and local employment benefits of broadening the hot school meal programme to community initiatives and community kitchens. [16679/26]
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.
The School Meals Programme is designed so that meals are provided by contracted food business operators, with the responsibility for food safety and compliance with relevant legislative obligations placed on these professional providers and not on the schools themselves.
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. These rules clearly define the successful tenderers responsibilities and obligations, including adherence to the nutritional standards.
There are some 300 suppliers in the School Meals Programme with the majority of these supplying one to three local schools. These suppliers provide local employment to their respective areas. There are currently eleven meals on wheels organisations supplying forty schools.
The current model for school meal provision already accommodates the participation of community based providers. My officials in this Department have been working with officials in the Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht and have compiled a list of supports available to local community organisations who may wish to expand their operation into the school meals area.
This information has been supplied to some rural schools and a range of other community organisations. This can be obtained from my department. Schools can also engage with local cafés, restaurants, local suppliers, and meals on wheels services, a number of which are already supplying schools in the School Meals Programme.
I trust this clarifies the matter.
