AQW 3552/22-27

Ms Claire Sugden
Independent
East Londonderry

Tabled Date: 26/09/2022
Answered On Date: 11/10/2022
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister of Education whether she has plans to (i) offer free school meals to all children during the cost of living crisis; and (ii) support schools to offer or extend breakfast and after-school clubs.

Answer:

The Department is continuing to progress a review of Free School Meals and Uniform Grant eligibility criteria. The review is considering a wide range of options that include the provision of a universal free school meal for some/all year groups as well as raising the current income thresholds that apply to the eligibility criteria for applicants in receipt of Universal Credit, Working Tax Credit or Child Tax Credit. It is planned that a public consultation will commence later this year.

The Extended Schools programme budget is £9.1m per annum, which allows the most disadvantaged schools to provide a range of interventions and additional learning opportunities outside of the traditional school day. Many schools choose to offer breakfast and after-school clubs to pupils.

The budget is fully committed at present and there are no plans to expand the programme. Any decisions regarding funding of the programme in future years must be taken in the context of available resources.