AQO 2150/22-27

Mr David Honeyford
Alliance Party
Lagan Valley

Tabled Date: 05/06/2025
Answered On Date: 16/06/2025
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister of Education for an update on the Review of Free School Meals and Uniform Grant Eligibility Criteria.

Answer:

Members will be aware that my Department recently concluded a twelve-week public consultation exercise on the eligibility criteria for free school meals and uniform grants. The consultation closed on 14 February this year and sought views on options including widening access to more low-income families and also options that included the provision of universal free school meals.

661 responses were submitted either via the online questionnaire or as written responses. I would like to thank those that took the time to share their views on this important issue. My officials have completed their analysis of the responses and a summary is being finalised for publication.

I intend to make my decision on the way forward in the near future. This decision will be informed by the consultation feedback and the potential impact on children and their families, schools and school caterers.

However, a key aspect that I cannot simply ignore is the issue of affordability. My Department continues to face significant funding pressures and is struggling to support existing key services. There are potentially significant budgetary implications of increasing the numbers of children eligible for free school meals and I will need to take these implications into account to ensure that any change is sustainable going forward.

I fully recognise that both free school meals and uniform grants provide vital help to many low-income families. For some children, access to a nutritious school lunch may be their main meal of the day. Taking a school lunch plays an important role in supporting a child’s health, wellbeing and learning. I am therefore committed to making a decision on the way forward that balances all the relevant factors in ensuring that we can support those who need it the most.