The Cabinet is due to discuss potential overhauls to the Hot School Meals Programme, following two reviews revealed shortcomings in the scheme.
Two independent reviews estimated that roughly one fifth of all school meals are uneaten, a figure that drops to 11% when school absences are taken into account.
All primary schools in the country now take part in the €300 million programme, although concerns have been raised by some about the quality of the food provided.
On Newstalk Breakfast, dietician Sara Keogh of EatWell.ie described it as “normal” that some of the food will go to waste.
“I'd love to see more positive headlines when it comes to Hot School Meals, because it's such an important programme,” she said.
“We know from the research that a little over 18% of the food is wasted.
“But you say up to about 10% of kids on any given day don't come into school; so if a meal is ordered and they come in, it's not eaten.
“In the same research, parents are saying, ‘Well, sure, we used to give them a lunchbox, some of it would come home as well’.”
Ms Keogh noted that overwhelmingly providers are keen to ensure that children are given a meal that is both healthy and tasty to eat.
“There is this huge idea that any school supplier is just out to send the worst food in, and that's not fair,” she added.
“I mean, there's 47 suppliers in the country, so of course there's going to be variation.
“But I don't know any suppliers who don't themselves have children in school eating this food - they are so committed to actually providing good food for the kids.
“I wouldn't like to be in the position of trying to feed every single primary school child in Ireland with a meal they like - even as a parent, we don't pull that off.”
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Ms Keogh also defended the €300 million cost of the scheme, which she argued is good value for taxpayers and an excellent way to reduce poverty.
“The studies are showing for every euro that you spend on a meal for children in school, you get €25 back to the economy in terms of children being able to learn in school, you know, in terms of their growth and nutrition, all of those things,” she said.
“So, I think whatever option gets every child sitting down and eating a meal.
“I think what shocks a lot of people is that around 10% of kids in Ireland are going to school hungry and they don't.
“Even in areas that would be considered affluent, I think people don't realise the gaps that are in there.”
Main image: Children at a primary school eating lunch in September 2015. Picture by: NorthScape / Alamy Stock Photo
