Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 23 April 2024
391. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Social Protection the action taken on each of the 18 recommendations contained within her Department's evaluation of the school meals programme undertaken in 2022, per recommendation, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18278/24]
View answerIn March 2023, I published an independent evaluation of the School Meals Programme which sets out the positive impact the Programme is having in terms of children’s education and wellbeing.
The key finding was an overwhelming consensus among all participants in the evaluation that the Programme is effective. Most parents suggested that their child had an improved attitude towards food, highlighting the benefits of the Programme in encouraging healthy eating. Students were asked how they felt about the Programme and their responses were overall positive, and they praised the taste and nutritional quality of the food. Data from Principals showed that their views of the nutritional values, the quality, and the portion size of the meals provided were favourable. Changing children’s attitudes towards healthier eating was also a common theme across Principals’ responses. Most Principals indicated that the Programme improved physical health, attendance and performance.
Taking account of the remaining recommendations of the evaluation, my Department is working to ensure that the Programme can operate and grow in a way that ensures standards are maintained, governance is robust, and that best use is being made of resources. This is being led by my Department in consultation with other stakeholders such as the Department of Education, Department of Health, Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth and other relevant agencies, for example the Food Safety Authority of Ireland.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
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Recommendations |
Actions |
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1: Consider an interim increase in the funding rates for all meal options |
Completed - An increase in funding rates for all School Meal types was increased effective from 1st January 2023. |
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2: Consider how the programme funding allocated to schools could more accurately reflect current pupil populations |
Ongoing |
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3: Extend the provision of the Hot Meals Option to all DEIS primary schools for the academic year 2023/2024 |
Completed - Hot Meals have been extended to all DEIS primary schools for the 2023/24 academic year and have also been extended to non-DEIS primary schools from 8th April 2024. The remaining Primary Schools who have not yet joined the scheme will be able to express an interest to receive Hot School Meals from September 2024. |
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4: Issue an annual payment to all participating schools to cover non-food expenses from September 2023 |
Appropriate to Department of Education |
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5: Encourage a co-productive approach to the development of the School Meals Programme by engaging schools in future decision-making processes |
Ongoing |
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6: Commit to support future research into the impact of the School Meals Programme by funding the collection and collation of longitudinal data on academic and health outcomes and other impact indicators in a comprehensive and consistent manner |
Ongoing |
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7: Appoint a cross-departmental Strategic Working Group to map out the expansion of the School Meals Programme to universal provision by 2030 |
Ongoing |
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8: Invest in the School Meals Programme Team at the Department of Social Protection |
Completed - There has been a continual increase in staff resources |
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9: Request the Department of Education undertake a review of the Capital Expenditure Programme so that spaces for eating are incorporated into schools |
Appropriate to Department of Education |
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10: Extend a modified version of the School Meals Programme to beyond term time to address holiday hunger |
Under the Food Poverty Working Group |
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11: Review the position for any school or other provider in the School Meals Programme with capped funding to bring them in line with current rates |
Completed |
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12: Replace cold lunches with a hot meal in all DEIS secondary schools |
Concentrating on Primary schools at present |
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13: Develop an online system to support the monitoring and reporting requirements that schools are required to undertake for the School Meals Programme |
Under consideration |
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14: Devise new waste management guidelines specifically for schools and suppliers |
Under consideration |
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15: Create an online repository of best practice examples for schools |
Under consideration |
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16: Ensure there is greater independent assurance with regard to both the financial and operational controls within the School Meals Programme |
Audits carried out by DSP staff |
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17: Implement a new system of procurement for the provision of school meals which is based on a multi-party framework approach |
Appropriate to Department of Education |
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18: Integrate healthy food and healthy eating into the core school curriculum |
Appropriate to Department of Education |
