95. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Social Protection the proportion of contracts under the Hot School Meals Programme that are currently held by for-profit companies, not-for-profit companies, not-for-profit organisations, community organisations or cooperatives, respectively; the consideration that has been given to increasing the participation of community and not-for-profit providers in the programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [67634/26]

Since September 2025 all 3,200 primary schools and 550,000 children are eligible for hot school meals. Across all meal types there some 3,700 schools and 682,000 children are eligible for support. This equates to the distribution of up to 3.4 million school meals per week.

There are currently some 300 suppliers in the School Meals Programme with the majority of these supplying one to three local schools. Any registered Food Business Operator, including not-for-profit suppliers, meals on wheels service, social enterprise, community organisation, cooperative, local café, restaurant, caterers, can become a School Meals provider by submitting a tender response to a schools call for tenders.

My Department does not select the suppliers. The school as the individual contracting authority currently hold the information that the deputy requires. For the 2026/27 academic year my Department will capture the supplier information.

My preferred approach is to have as many local suppliers involved as much as possible. Currently, there are 11 Meals on Wheels organisations supplying 40 schools. The mix of suppliers involved in the scheme helps us to deliver hot school meals to over 3,200 primary schools every day. But indeed, not-for profit companies and community organisations can, and already do play an important part in that.

My Department provides the funding for the meals directly to the school. My department does not select or approve suppliers. All schools as independent contracting authorities are responsible for choosing their school meals supplier on the open market, in a fair and transparent manner in accordance with public procurement rules. The Department of Education and Youth Schools Procurement Unit provides guidance to schools for all procurements including the School Meals Programme. These rules clearly define the successful tenders responsibilities and obligations. The primary relationship is between school and supplier.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.