The Cabinet is to discuss proposals to overhaul the free hot school meals programme after two Government-commissioned reviews revealed shortcomings in the service.
The Social Protection Minister Dara Calleary will this morning tell his Cabinet colleagues the findings of two independent studies examining food standards and student, parent and teacher experience on the School Meals Programme.
Mr. Calleary will seek Cabinet approval for a number of changes to the scheme after it was discovered that roughly a fifth of all hot school meals – or around 100,000 a day – go uneaten.
Around half a million hot school meals are delivered to primary schools across the country daily, with the scheme extended nationwide in September 2025 to benefit 3,200 schools and more than 550,000 children.
Concerns around quality
However, the €300 million scheme has faced some criticism with the Oireachtas Education Committee hearing concerns earlier this year around the nutritional quality of meals, including the level of highly processed foods and the lack of transparency regarding production methods.
After conducting a detailed audit and review of school meals in schools, a Government-appointed nutritionist concluded that it was “evident that high, fat salt and sugar foods are chosen over healthier options when available on the menu”.
The expert also expressed concern about portion size – noting how the same portion size is served to all students with the knock-on effect of calorie content being low for older children.
The average percentage of children ordering a meal was 85%.
It was higher among Junior Infants -1st class at 97% compared to 81% in 5th and 6th class.
The Nutrition Review analysed 360 meals from 15 suppliers and included 54 school visits across Ireland.
85% of eligible school children get the available school meal
Mr Calleary also tasked IPSOS/Behaviour & Attitudes to carry out a detailed survey of pupils, parents and school teachers to assess their views on the scheme, with 747 schools, 6,884 children, 86,637 parents and guardians, 2,420 teachers and principals, and 47 suppliers all offering their opinion.
Three quarters of children stated that they eat all, most or some of their meal while 63% of teachers and principals believe the Hot School Meals Scheme has had a generally positive impact.
The survey also identified how food waste was a problem before the introduction of school meals, with almost half of parents saying their children brought uneaten food home before free school meals were introduced.
84% of parents felt children should have the option of a cold lunch while many also had issues with dietary requirements and overall menu choice.
Options may reduce food waste
The review recommends the development of a standardised menu cycle as well as different sized meals for different age groups.
It also states that menus be adapted for special schools and special classes, and for children with special dietary requirements to ensure the scheme remains inclusive.
Children should also have the option of a cold or hot lunch on any given day, and this may contribute to waste reduction, the report states.
The provision of Hot School Meals is regarded a cost-of-living measure and is estimated to save a family with two primary school children approximately €1,152 per year.
The Programme for Government commits to extending the scheme to secondary schools in Ireland “over the lifetime of this Government” but Mr Calleary hasn’t set a timeline for the expansion as of yet.