Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 7 July 2026
519. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Social Protection the estimated full-year cost of providing free school meals for all post-primary school pupils in public schools; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51282/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn Budget 2025, it was announced that the Hot School Meals would be extended to all remaining primary schools in 2025, meaning that approximately 3,200 primary schools and 550,000 children are eligible for hot school meals. Across all meal club types there are some 3,700 schools and 682,000 children eligible for support. This equates to the distribution of up to 3.4 million school meals per week.
The budget for the School Meals Scheme for 2026 is €286 million.
My immediate priority is in-depth review of school meal supplier menus and their compliance with the nutritional standards. My Department seconded a CORU-registered dietician for the School Meals Scheme who is under the clinical supervision of the Department of Health to carry out this review. The review is underway with the final report due shortly.
As part of the Programme for Government, I plan to commence the rollout of School Meals to secondary schools over the lifetime of this Government. Following the completion of the nutritional review, the Interdepartmental Working Group will review how best to commence the roll out of the School Meals Scheme to post primary school pupils in public schools, therefore, it is not possible to provide a cost estimate at this time.
