Joint Committee Report on Evaluating the Impacts of the School Meals Programme (data.oireachtas.ie)

• Recommendation to transfer programme to Department of Education
• Pre-approved supplier list by county by Q3 2026
• Mandatory kitchen and dining areas in new school buildings
• Nutritional standards and elimination of highly processed foods
• Expansion to post-primary schools as national priority

"The Joint Committee on Education and Youth of the Irish Parliament published a report on the School Meals Programme. It recommends transferring full responsibility to the Department of Education and Youth, creating a pre-approved supplier list, mandating kitchens and dining areas in new schools, setting nutritional standards, and expanding the programme to all post-primary schools. A value-for-money audit and independent research are called for. The committee emphasizes food education and universal access."