AQW 517/22-27

Mr Nick Mathison
Alliance Party
Strangford

Tabled Date: 25/05/2022
Answered On Date: 20/07/2022
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister of Education for an update on (i) her Department's review into the School Uniform Grant and Free School Meals schemes; and (ii) the work of the stakeholder forum for this review, including details of when it has met.

Answer:

The Department has commenced a Review of Free School Meals and Uniform Grant eligibility criteria. The review is considering a number of options for free school meals and uniform grants, including the options for universal free school meal provision for certain year groups or all pupils and the removal/adjustment to current thresholds for Universal Credit/Working Tax Credit as well as the potential to legislate on uniform policy.

My Department continues to work to develop costed options and a consultation exercise will take place later in the year. In the interim period, I have agreed an increase of 20% to the existing uniform grant allowances for the forthcoming academic year.

The stakeholder group met in December 2021 and another meeting will take place in the near future. The Department has also met with a cross departmental group and internal departmental group as well as the Northern Ireland Commissioner for Children and Young People. The input of key stakeholders and children and young people will be very important to ensure that the views of all interested parties are considered.