Minister for Education Helen McEntee has confirmed that a nutritionist from the Department of Health will review the nutritional standards of hot meals provided to schools.
A further 713 primary schools have been added to the Hot School Meals Programme from today, bringing the total number of schools in receipt of hot meals to 2,850.
The scheme is a key part of a commitment given by Ireland under an EU social inclusion programme to ensure that every child receives at least one nutritious heart meal per day.
However, concerns have been expressed by some teachers and health experts about the quality of food being provided to schools.
Speaking on RTÉ's Morning Ireland, Ms McEntee said: "We need to make sure it's the best it can be, and that's why (Minister for Social Protection) Dara Calleary has said there will be a review around nutrition.
"He's asked a nutritionist from the Department of Health to take this on and they will come back in September because we just need to improve it ... but already the benefits that we're seeing are absolutely phenomenal."
Read more:
The nutritional challenge facing Hot School Meals scheme
Minister Calleary also confirmed that food that is high in saturated fat, sugar and salt will be removed from the programme from September.
In a statement, he said: "Nutritional standards are a priority for me and for the Government.
"I have asked for a review of the scheme's nutritional standards and this will be conducted by a dietician based out of the Department of Health.
"I have asked for a report on the nutritional standards be submitted to me by the end of the year.
"In the meantime, we will remove food that is high in saturated fat, sugar, and salt from the school meal menus.
"Up to now, this food had been permitted once a week at most and only when selected by the child’s parents. There is a lead-in time for a change like this, so it will happen by September this year."
