Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 12 May 2015
257. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the consideration of or stipulation given to the providers of school meals in respect of the nutritional value and calorie content of the foods they provided; and in view of the significant problem of childhood obesity, her plans in this regard. [18610/15]
View answerThe school meals programme provides funding towards the provision of food services to some 1,600 schools and organisations benefitting over 205,000 children. €39 million has been provided for the scheme in 2015, an increase of €2 million over that provided last year.
The aim of the scheme is to provide regular nutritious food to children who are unable, by reason of lack of food, to take full advantage of the education provided for them. Applicants to the scheme are directed to the Department’s website which states that funding is for healthy nutritious food only and must not be spent on items such as fizzy drinks or fast food. Example of food items to be provided under the various food clubs is also outlined. Applicants are informed that information regarding healthy eating for children is also available from the Health Promotion Unit of the Health Services Executive and in ‘A Good Practice Guide for School Food Initiative’ produced by the organisation Healthy Food for All. Participating schools/organisations end-of-year accounts and receipts are inspected by the Department to ensure that they are complying with this requirement.
