94. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Social Protection the data his Department holds on food waste and single-use packaging arising from the Hot School Meals Programme; whether a national assessment of food and packaging waste has been undertaken; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [67636/26]

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.

In terms of packaging and waste, under tender documentation, and as stipulated by the Department of Education and Youth's Schools Procurement’s Unit, the school meal supplier is responsible for operating policies which progressively address environmental considerations such as waste and packaging.  Depending on the school size and school meal requirements, the school will decide on the method and logistics that best meets their needs in line with environmental standards.

In addition, under tender documentation requirements, the school is committed to the principles of environmental management in its activities, and it encourages the implementation of sustainability principles in its procurement practices.  The supplier should make all reasonable efforts to minimise adverse environmental impact in the methods of services delivery and in materials used.

The Nutrition Review report found the average proportion of uneaten meals was 18.9% across all classes, with less waste seen in younger age groups. Absenteeism contributed significantly to total waste.  When accounting for absences the proportion of uneaten meals fell to 11.1%.  The IPSOS Behaviour & Attitudes survey found food waste was always a problem even before the introduction of school meals – 48% of parents said their children brought uneaten food home before school meals were introduced.

Waste prevention and management form a key component of the marking scheme in the Hot School Meals call for tender template documentation.  With marks being provided where the tender displays waste prevention and minimisation in line with target T3 in the Green Public Procurement Strategy and Action Plan 2024-2027 and environmentally friendly recyclable packaging materials where possible in line with the Sectoral Target T4 from Buying Greener and Directive (EU) 2019/904.

My department does not collect nor does it have access to details of the amount of wastage from school meals; this is managed at school level in accordance with the relevant contract.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the deputy.