Free meals should be provided to schoolchildren to tackle poor diets, it was claimed today.
The Labour Party unveiled a plan highlighting the need for nutritious foods for Ireland's young people.
The Make Food Poverty History blueprint comes after research found one in six Irish children suffers the effects of a poor diet.
Despite Ireland's record of economic growth over the past 15 years, Labour said there is growing concern about food poverty. Research by University College Galway found one in six Irish children are suffering from food poverty.
The Opposition party claimed the research also showed that 19 per cent of young boys "always or often go to bed hungry". The Labour Party claims it is the first political party in the country to specifically target nutritional deficiency in Ireland.
It called for: nutrition-proofing of all relevant government policies, free meals for primary and secondary schoolchildren, one piece of fruit to be given to each schoolchild each day, the promotion of community-led vegetable garden allotments.
The party said the elderly, Travellers, rural dwellers, the unemployed, asylum seekers, the disabled and lone parents are particularly susceptible to Food Poverty.
Labour food spokeswoman Dr Mary Upton said current Government policy only deals with children at risk of obesity. Labour in government will develop Ireland's first multi-sectoral policy on Food and Nutrition. "Ending Food Poverty in a time of plenty must be a priority of the next Government," added Dr Upton.