Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 4 July 2017
175. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Education and Skills his plans to publish a strategy, plan or guidelines on the availability of foods high in fat, salt and sugars and on vending machines in secondary schools; and the guidelines at present to schools on the availability of such foods in vending machines in schools. [30943/17]
View answerMy Department is active in the area of promotion of health and wellbeing in schools. The issue of promoting healthy eating is addressed in schools through subjects such as Social, Personal and Health Education (SPHE), and Home Economics as well as in Physical Education. The aim is to equip students with such skills and knowledge to enable them to make appropriate choices for healthy lifestyles. This informed approach will help to reduce the incidence of obesity in our young people. Many post-primary schools have a number of food outlets, including school shops and vending machines. My Department acknowledges that the sale of food and beverage products often represents a revenue stream for schools and it is not the intention to end this practice. Rather the intention is to ensure that there is a greater proportion of healthier alternatives to some of the less healthy products that are currently on offer for sale in schools. Boards of Management and Principals are encouraged to provide as far as possible that only healthy products are available for purchase on school premises.
Schools are strongly encouraged to have a formal healthy eating policy that has been developed in consultation with students and parents.
Guidelines are available to schools on Developing a healthy eating policy in Post-Primary Schools, which have been developed by the Department of Health and HSE. The healthy eating policy should outline how the school supports healthy eating practices through the promotion of healthy lunches and healthy snacks and other means.
My Department issued a circular to all post primary schools in September 2015 on the Promotion of Healthy Lifestyles in Post Primary Schools (Circular number 0051/2015).
