Aidan Farrelly
Ceist:484. Deputy Aidan Farrelly asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of children being catered to by each of the five largest hot school meal providers, in tabular form. [47102/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraTuesday, 23 June 2026
Ceisteanna (484)
Freagraí scríofa
There are some 300 suppliers in the School Meals Scheme, with the majority of these supplying one to three local schools. Any register Food Business Operator can tender to become a school meals supplier. This includes not-for-profit providers, caterers, local cafes, restaurants, and Meals on Wheels services.
My Department issues the funding for School Meals directly to schools. Parents can cancel meals for their children on a daily or weekly basis and when their child will be absent from school. All schools are responsible for reconciling invoices against meal delivery dockets and therefore the school does not pay for cancelled meals that have not been delivered.
The table below shows the number of children eligible to receive a Hot School Meal from the five largest suppliers.
|
No. |
Pupils |
|
1, |
133,303 |
|
2 |
61,535 |
|
3 |
56,829 |
|
4 |
41,454 |
|
5 |
23,550 |
I trust this clarifies the matter.