Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 14 May 2026
402. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Social Protection whether the Schools Procurement Unit has issued any guidance, circular, advisory note, or compliance communication to schools participating in the Hot School Meals Programme concerning the offering or acceptance of gifts, promotional items, complimentary services, or other inducements by suppliers during live procurement processes; and if he will provide copies of any such guidance. [36296/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra404. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Social Protection whether schools participating in the Hot School Meals Programme are permitted to consider or accept supplier-provided items, services, or promotional materials outside the formally scored tender submission; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36298/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 402 and 404 together.
The objective of the School Meals Scheme 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 primary relationship is between the school and supplier. My department provides the funding for the meals directly to the school and it is the responsibility of each school board to administer the scheme in their school including handling the procurement process. The Schools Procurement Unit under the Department of Education and Youth, provides guidance to schools for all procurements including the School Meals Scheme. They have published a Procurement Support document for the Provision of Hot Meals for Primary Schools which clearly outlines that schools cannot accept payments, gifts, or inducements from tenderers or Food Business Operators.
All schools seeking School Meals funding must sign a Service Level agreement with my Department. The Service Level agreement states that schools should not accept any gifts, donations, or consideration from a supplier that are directly or indirectly linked to the selection by them as the supplier of the school meals. The criteria for the selection of suppliers of school meals must be objective and relevant to the supply of the school meals and in accordance with the principles of transparency, non-discrimination, equal treatment, in accordance with Public Procurement rules. A copy of the Service Level Agreement will issue to the Deputy under separate cover.
My Department has an oversight role in relation to the School Meals Programme and conducts regular inspections of schools. Under the existing audit process, some 400 schools are inspected with a further 121 desk assessments were conducted in 2024. This represents a 20% total check on schools. For 2025, 400 schools were inspected and the desk assessments increased to 155 cases as more schools become eligible to join the programme.
If there is evidence that any tender is awarded on the basis of gifts or donations by suppliers to the school, my Department may cease funding for the Program; seek to recoup monies to the same value as the gift, donation or incentive or may deduct monies to the same value from future funding that may be provided to the School.
