A comprehensive audit of Ireland’s Hot School Meals Programme recommends offering children a choice between hot and cold lunches to improve nutrition and reduce waste, following concerns over meal quality and variety.
An independent audit of Ireland’s Hot School Meals Programme has found that children should be able to choose between a hot or cold lunch, after concerns were raised about nutrition, waste and quality across the €300 million scheme.
According to the review, which was commissioned by Social Protection Minister Dara Calleary, more than 360 meals from 15 suppliers were assessed and school visits were carried out at 54 sites. Calleary said he would act on the findings immediately, describing access to healthy food as a priority and saying regular nutritious meals help children participate more fully in education while easing pressure on parents.
The audit found broad variation in what was being served, but also said healthier ingredients were not always the meals most likely to be chosen. It reported that 82% of meals did not contain foods classed as high in fat, salt or sugar, yet processed items and dishes without vegetables were more popular when they were offered. The report also said suppliers needed to provide more vegetables, fruit, salad and wholegrains, and that portion sizes should vary by age because older pupils were not always receiving enough calories.
The review raised further concerns about vegetarian and vegan meals, finding that only 20% contained the required amount of protein, compared with 74% of meat-based dishes. It also said nearly a fifth of hot meals were left uneaten, although much of that was linked to pupils being absent. When absences were taken into account, the figure fell to 11.1%.
Teacher feedback was more positive, with 78% describing the nutritional value of meals as acceptable, good or excellent and 79% saying the same about quality. The review recommended a standardised three-week menu cycle, clearer instructions on meal sizes, and more flexibility for special schools, special classes and children with specific dietary needs. It also backed the option of ordering either a hot or cold lunch on any day.
A separate survey by IPSOS Behaviour & Attitudes, involving thousands of children, parents, teachers and suppliers across hundreds of schools, found strong overall support for the programme. While 85% of children said they liked their hot school meal, parents expressed concern about processed food, limited fruit and vegetable content, and meals their children would not eat. Some 84% of parents said pupils should be given a choice between hot and cold meals, a view shared by 28% of children.
The findings build on earlier concern about the programme’s nutritional standards. In February, RTÉ reported that at least a third of hot school meals examined did not meet basic nutrition requirements, prompting calls for improvement. The government later expanded the scheme further, with an April 2025 statement saying the programme had been extended to 2,850 primary schools and more than 475,000 children, alongside a review of standards and the removal of some optional foods high in saturated fat, sugar and salt.
Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical judgment, advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
