The government has been urged to conduct an "immediate and comprehensive" review of the hot school meals programme.

Midlands-North-West MEP Ciaran Mullooly has raised concerns around the nutritional value of the food being eaten by children.

The programme, administered by the Department of Social Protection, provides food for €3.20 per meal.

Mullooly said this cost has not risen despite Central Statistics Office (CSO) figures showing that food inflation rose sharply in 2025.

Review

The Independent Ireland MEP commented: "At a time of record tax receipts and repeated exchequer surpluses, it is extraordinary that the government has failed to adjust funding to reflect inflationary pressures.

"When funding remains static in the face of sustained food inflation, quality inevitably suffers."

He said it would "not be unreasonable" to suggest that a minimum allocation in excess of €5 per child per meal is now required to "deliver meals of acceptable nutritional quality".

Mullooly has called on the government to conduct an immediate and comprehensive review of the school meals programme.

Along with adjusting funding levels, he is also urging government to introduce strengthened nutritional standards.

He said that locally sourced produce wherever possible should be prioritised, ensuring transparency around origin and quality for parents, schools and pupils.

Standards

"This issue is particularly urgent given that many schools are currently entering procurement processes for multi-annual school meal contracts," the MEP added.

"Decisions taken in the coming months will lock in standards and quality for years ahead.

"A nation that fails to properly invest in its children, especially during a period of unprecedented fiscal surplus, risks betraying its most basic duty of care.

"Properly funded, nutritionally sound school meals are not a luxury - they are a basic responsibility we owe every child."