School Meals Programme

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 25 March 2025

Tuesday, 25 March 2025

Questions (482)

Ciarán Ahern

Question:

482. Deputy Ciarán Ahern asked the Minister for Social Protection if he is satisfied that providers under the Hot School Meals Programme are not required to provide his Department with details of their preparation methods for meals provided under the programme; his views on whether the Food Safety Authority of Ireland guidelines and regulations (details supplied) are robust enough to ensure that all meals provided to schools under the programme are of good quality and meet a strong nutritional standard; if he is aware of reports or ultra-processed foods being provided under the programme; if he plans to address same; the steps he is taking to improve the nutritional content of the meals being provided; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13318/25]

Written answers

Minister for Social Protection

The objective of the School Meals Programme is to provide regular, nutritious food to children to support them in taking full advantage of the education provided to them. The programme is an important component of policies to encourage school attendance and extra educational achievement.

My department has an oversight role in relation to the School Meals Programme and conducts regular inspections of schools which includes reviewing the menu. Under the existing audit process, some 400 schools are inspected annually by my department. These inspections assist my department in ensuring standards are being met in relation to different areas of the School Meals Programme.

Suppliers are not required to provide the department with details of the preparation method of the meals but are required to comply with the Food Safety Authority of Ireland Hazard Analysis & Critical Control Point (HACCP) guidelines and with Nutritional Standards for School Meals and Nutritional Standards for Hot School Meals.

In December 2024, my department established an interdepartmental working group, which includes the Department of Health and the Department Education, to oversee and make recommendations on the operation of the scheme, including nutrition inspection and evaluation. The work on this group is ongoing.

I want to assure the Deputy that I am fully committed to ensuring that the nutritional standards of the School Meals Programme offers children a balanced and healthy diet to assist them in meeting the objectives of the programme.

I trust this clarifies the matter.