Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 23 April 2026
105. Deputy Joanna Byrne asked the Minister for Education and Youth if she will provide a pathway for a school in Drogheda (details supplied) to retain their current model for hot school meals and ensure they are funded to do so; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29040/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe School Meals Programme, operated by the Department of Social Protection (DSP), provides funding towards the provision of food services to schools and organisations benefitting some 550,000 children.
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. It is available to all primary schools, meaning that approximately 3,700 schools and organisations and 682,000 children are now eligible for the Schools Meals Programme.
For the 2024/25 academic year the Department of Social Protection allocated approximately €248 million for the School Meals Programme. This funding supported the provision of hot school meals for approximately 550,000 children.
The provision of hot school meals in schools is not dependent on cooking facilities being available in the school. The scheme is aimed primarily at schools with no onsite cooking facilities. Each school must identify a supplier who will supply (prepare and deliver) the hot meals in line with the relevant food safety regulations and in compliance with the Healthy Ireland ‘Nutrition Standards for Hot School Meals’
In circumstances where a primary school is unable to secure a hot meals supplier due its location or facilities and space, it should explore options with local caterers or supermarkets within the area. If a school is still unsuccessful in securing a supplier, they should then try to source a local supplier that could instead provide a cold lunch with drink as an alternative to a hot meal.
The purpose of my department's Additional Schools Accommodation (ASA) scheme is to ensure that essential mainstream classroom accommodation and accommodation for pupils with special education needs is available to cater for pupils enrolled each year, where the need cannot be met by the school’s existing accommodation or by available accommodation at other schools in the area.
The provision of kitchens does not fall under the remit of the scheme.
