AQW 29244/22-27

Ms Claire Sugden
Independent
East Londonderry

Tabled Date: 25/06/2025
Answered On Date: 30/06/2025
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister of Education how many school-age children live in households receiving Universal Credit, but do not currently qualify for free school meals.

Answer:

The department does not hold information on households receiving or not receiving Universal Credit. The Department collects pupil-level data on free school meal entitlement (FSME) through the annual School Census. These pupils have been confirmed as ‘entitled’ following completion of the Education Authority’s FSM application process.