Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 13 May 2026
115. Deputy Joanna Byrne asked the Minister for Social Protection if hot school meal suppliers are paid in advance for the expected number of school meals they supply in a year to an individual school; whether, if children opt out of receiving the hot school meals, the cost of those meals is refunded to the Department; if data on the number of children opting out can be provided; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35424/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Department of Social Protection provides the funding directly to schools. The Primary relationship is between the school and supplier. All schools who wish to avail of funding are responsible for choosing their school meals supplier on the open market, in a fair and transparent manner in accordance with public procurement rules.
The School Meals supplier is not paid a set amount irrespective of demand. Schools are invoiced based on the actual number of meals ordered and delivered. Parents or guardians place orders for the meals and the supplier is paid only for the meals that are requested and provided. Suppliers have a 48 hour cancellation policy and parents or guardians are required to cancel orders if their child will be absent from school.
Schools conduct a reconciliation of meals delivered against suppliers’ invoices. As part of a school’s annual application for funding, a full examination of income and expenditure is conducted by my Department. This includes the school submitting bank statements and invoices for the previous academic year. This is to ensure that there are no irregularities in payments or blanket charging by suppliers. Any surplus funds are factored into the calculation of the allocation for the school for the next academic year.
I trust this clarifies the matter.
