LISTEN: First Minister to propose extension to free school meal support over the summer

By Q Radio News and PA.

Northern Ireland's First Minister Arlene Foster has said she will be proposing the extension of free school meal support to the region's pupils over the summer holidays.

When schools closed due to the pandemic, the families of children eligible for free meals were instead given a £27 payment every fortnight.

There are almost 100,000 children in Northern Ireland who are eligible.

However, it's due to come to and end on the 30th of June. 

Currently, Northern Ireland is the only region in the UK which hasn't extended the payments, after the Scotland, Wales and England all extended the scheme.

I wholeheartedly support @DUPleader in her proposal on Free School Meals over this summer period. I will therefore be making a bid for additional funding to the NI Executive. pic.twitter.com/rEcYfrLak8

— Peter Weir (@peterweirmla) June 16, 2020

Mrs Foster told the Assembly she would make the proposal to colleagues in the powersharing coalition.

She said the measure would be dependent on the necessary funds being found.

"I will be proposing to Executive that meals continue to be provided to that cohort of children over the summer period this year, if the necessary finances can be secured," she said.

Education Minister Peter Weir also expressed his commitment to extend the provision by announcing he is considering options to cover the July and August period.

He said: "I am fully aware of the concerns that some children will go hungry over the summer period, especially this year when direct payments in respect of free school meals are due to end on 30 June.

“I am currently considering options to cover the July and August period and will be making a bid for funding of just over £12m from the Executive’s Covid-19 fund to provide a summer food scheme for those children who normally receive free school meals.

“This will form part of a wider paper on summer activities to be considered by the Executive when they meet on Thursday. This will include a proposal to extend the Education Authority’s ‘Eat Well Live Well’ programme which has been running for a number of months and is currently providing healthy breakfasts and lunches to over 3,000 vulnerable young people.”

The announcement follows pressure from other political parties for the scheme to be extended.

Following Mrs Foster's comments in the Assembly Chamber, the Stormont Finance Minister, Conor Murphy said he was "determined to identify the money necessary for this"

I’m determined to identify the money necessary for this. Hope to bring proposals to Executive in near future.

— Conor Murphy (@conormurphysf) June 16, 2020

Stormont education minister Peter Weir had previously said his department did not have the money to extend the scheme outside term time.