Vending machines will not be banned from secondary schools in Ireland despite fresh opposition from the HSE and campaigners as part of ongoing efforts to stem childhood obesity.

The Sunday Independent reports that the Department of Education have ignored new calls to remove the junk food machines despite recent figures from the World Health Organization which show Ireland has the highest rate of obesity among EU member states for young children.

This week the HSE released a statement welcoming a ban on junk food in school vending machines and supporting fast-food exclusion zones around schools.

30 per cent of schools have a vending machine or school shop which sells unhealthy food.

However, The Department of Education say there are no plans to ban the use of vending machines in second-level schools, adding that schools' efforts must be complemented by parents and the wider community.