The quality of food served to school children as part of the School Meals Scheme is “absolutely appalling”, an Independent Ireland TD has argued. 

Since last year, all primary schools in the State have been given funding to serve children with a free meal every day during term time. 

However, concerns have been raised about the quality of food some schools are serving. 

On Newstalk Breakfast, Cork South West TD Michael Collins described the scheme as a “great idea”, but that he feels it is often poorly implemented. 

 “It's badly thought out and it has been, I suppose, contracted out and the quality of the meals is what I have serious concerns over,” he said. 

“The Department won't confirm, is it Irish beef or is it Brazilian beef they're using? 

“But number two, the quality, as I've shown you, is absolutely appalling; I've seen it with my own eyes, taken pictures of it and it's up on my own Facebook, my own social media.” 

Deputy Collins said the food is such poor quality that some children are refusing to eat what they are served at school. 

“I don't know how, honest to God, it would sicken me,” he said. 

“It sickened me when a child brought it home to her parents and they asked me to come to the house and I looked at it.

“And when I looked at it, I actually had to turn away because I have what I call a strong stomach, but I certainly could not look at it, never mind think I could eat it.”

For many years, the HSE has funded Meals on Wheels, which provides food to the elderly. 

It is, Deputy Collins believes, a far better service than the School Meals Scheme. 

“Look at the Meals on Wheels services that's rolled out throughout the country in more urban and rural Ireland to elderly people,” he said. 

“They get a full nutritious meal at a very, very reasonable rate every day to their house. 

“And I think the Government have to look at a model like that before they go any further with this School Meals Programme because certainly… processed foods is causing harm to our children and it should not be allowed.”

The Department of Social Protection has been contacted for comment.

Main image: A child having a school meal and Michael Collins TD. Pictures by: Alamy.com and RollingNews.ie