Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 8 May 2024
322. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Social Protection how the nutrition standards for school meals are being monitored, implemented and enforced; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20627/24]
Amharc ar fhreagra323. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Social Protection what safeguards have been put in place to ensure that the hot school meals programme is being rolled out in accordance with the nutrition standards for school meals; what resources are in place to ensure the standards are being met; if further resources are needed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20628/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 322 and 323 together.
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. Following the expansion of the programme in recent years, some 2,600 schools and organisations, covering 443,000 children are now eligible for funding.
Funding under the School Meals Programme can be provided for breakfast, snack, cold lunch, dinner, hot school meals and after-school clubs and is based on a maximum rate per child per day, depending on the type of meal being provided. These meals must meet the Nutritional Standards for the School Meals Programme.
The Nutritional Standards for School Meals were developed by a working group led by the Health and Wellbeing Programme in the Department of Health, in consultation with Safefood and the Healthy Eating and Active Living Programme in the Health Service Executive.
My Department provides the funding directly to the schools who are responsible for choosing their own School Meals supplier on the open market in a fair and transparent manner in accordance with Public Procurement rules, and the primary relationship is between school and supplier regarding Nutritional Standards for School Meals. The tendering documentation for the Hot School Meals Programme as stipulated by the Schools Procurement Unit clearly defines the responsibilities and obligations in terms of Nutritional Standards of the successful tenderer.
Responsibility for sourcing the meals is a matter for the Board of Management of each school, but to secure funding they must first submit a sample menu with their application and agree to apply the standards set out by signing a Service Level Agreement which clearly sets out the school’s responsibilities and obligations in terms of Nutritional Standards.
My Department does have an oversight role and conducts inspections and also conducted an evaluation of the scheme, which did not highlight any significant issues with regard to food quality. In addition to monitoring adherence to the standards including through site visits, my Department also liaises directly with suppliers to ensure that they are aware of the standards required.
All Hot School Meals suppliers are legally obliged to ensure the food they produce is safe to eat and are fully responsible in complying with health and safety legislation at all stages as stated by the Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI). The FSAI is the central competent authority with responsibility for enforcement of food safety legislation in Ireland. The Health Service Executive National Environmental Health Service (HSE/NEHS) carries out inspections under service contract with the FSAI.
Hot School Meals suppliers are required to register as food business operators (FBOs) and are subject to inspections to verify compliance with food safety legislation. In the case of caterers, they are required to register with the Health Service Executive (HSE), and inspection is predominantly carried out by the HSE/NEHS. and to comply with all relevant food safety legislation.
My Department also provides guidance to schools in respect of menus and meal options on an ongoing basis and participates on a regular basis as a member of the Department of Health’s Obesity Policy Implementation Oversight Group (OPIOG), which provides strategic oversight, coordination, and direction for cross-Departmental and cross-sectoral actions in this area.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
