SCHOOL STAFF HAVE said that the process to access the government’s Hot School Meals programme places an “excessive” administrative burden on schools.

Eoghan O’Byrne, principal of St Mary’s National School in Co Limerick, is due to tell an Oireachtas Education Committee today that the “hugely negative”  procurement process is putting too much pressure on schools.

“The workload, pressure and administrative burden placed on schools has been
excessive and, frankly, unfair,” he said in his opening statements.

“Schools should not be expected to navigate complex procurement systems independently. All vendors should be pre-approved by the Department of Education, and far greater practical support must be provided to school leaders and administration”.

O’Byrne said that with continued investment, better administrative support, and year-round thinking it has the potential to be “one of the most impactful educational interventions”.

A representative from Tallaght Community National School also criticised the ‘bureaucracy’ involved with the hot school lunch programme in their opening statement.

“The procurement and application process can be further simplified,” they said.

“In an era when the EU is seeking to become less bureaucratic and more efficient I think it would be wise to make a move to stop asking individual schools to do the same kind of time consuming procurement as we demand from big organisations like the HSE.”

They also said the programme causes ‘hidden costs’ for schools , for which funding should be provided.

“There should be additional funding given to schools for the cost of electricity, cleaning, waste and pest control,” they said.

They added that funding should also be provided for schools to directly employ someone to prepare and serve food in medium sized and large schools. 

Despite this, the representative said the programme “has to be seen as a positive step forward”. “Food poverty exists in Ireland and it is often hidden,” they added.

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Speaking at the Committee last week, Darina Allen, founder of Ballymaloe Cookery School in Co Cork, blasted the Hot School Meals programme and said that “ultra processed food” is causing “harm” to children.

Maria O’Sullivan, Associate Professor in Nutrition at Trinity College will evaluate the programme for the Committee today.

In her opening statement, O’Sullivan said there are logistical challenges to successfully offering children a healthy, nutritious balanced meal, highlighting limited flexibility, access to kitchens, dining spaces, food waste, packaging, food presentation and sustainability.

However, she said that despite the challenges school meals “demonstrate a positive impact on the nutritional intake of children and young people”.