Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 24 January 2017
277. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Social Protection the steps he taking to ensure that food and beverages being served in schools here avoid being calorie-dense fried foods and processed food items; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2864/17]
View answerThe school meals programme provides funding towards the provision of food to schools and organisations benefitting over 200,000 children at a total cost of some €40 million in 2016. As part of Budget 2017, I announced an additional €5.7 million for school meals which will benefit over 50,000 children.
The objective of the scheme is to provide regular, nutritious food to children who are unable, due to lack of good quality food, to take full advantage of the education provided to them. Applicants to the scheme are directed to the Department's website which clearly advises that funding is for healthy nutritious food only and examples of food items are provided. Access to various healthy eating documents and guidelines are available on the school meals site including a link to the recently launched 'Healthy Food for Life – the Healthy Eating Guidelines and Food Pyramid' by the Department of Health.
Schools and organisations must reapply for funding in advance of each school year and are required to submit detailed records at the end of each school year. Expenditure on unhealthy food items is deducted from the following year's funding allocation. In addition, the Department initiated an on-site inspection programme in 2012 in participating schools to ensure that the scheme rules are being adhered to. The inspection process is being rolled out across all schools and includes an assessment of the type of food provided.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
