17/09/2013
Call To Extend Free School Meals
Sinn Féin Education spokesperson Chris Hazzard has called for free school meals to be extended for all children attending school.
Speaking in the Assembly, Mr Hazzard said: "In recent years Sinn Féin has worked to increase the number of children entitled to free school meals and indeed the Minister John O'Dowd recently announced that the criteria for attaining free school meals would be standardised across primary and post primary schools.
"This would mean that children entitled to free school meals in primary would carry that entitlement into post primary school.
"Many children were going to school without a proper lunch due to families being unable to either supply a packed lunch or pay for school meals. It is important that children are able to have a healthy meal during their time at school.
"While welcoming the Minister's commitment to date on the issue I am asking him to investigate extending the free school meal system to all children attending school. This would bring equality to the system and ensure that every child would get at least one substantial meal during term time."
On Monday, Education Minister, John O'Dowd, called on all families entitled to free school meals to take up their entitlement.
The Minister was speaking during a debate on free school meal uptake in the Assembly. During the debate, he revealed that almost one in five children who are eligible for free school meals do not avail of them.
He added: "The significance of free school meals must be seen in the context of my Department's overarching goals – 'to raise standards' and 'close the performance gap, increase access and equality'.
"Free school meals support the Programme for Government commitment to tackle disadvantage and close the gap in educational attainment between the least and most deprived communities.
"The particular challenges faced by pupils from lower income backgrounds in accessing, participating in and benefiting from, formal education are well documented and we should not underestimate the impact this can have on children's learning and development, on their educational attainment and ultimately on their lifetime opportunities."
(JP/CD)
Speaking in the Assembly, Mr Hazzard said: "In recent years Sinn Féin has worked to increase the number of children entitled to free school meals and indeed the Minister John O'Dowd recently announced that the criteria for attaining free school meals would be standardised across primary and post primary schools.
"This would mean that children entitled to free school meals in primary would carry that entitlement into post primary school.
"Many children were going to school without a proper lunch due to families being unable to either supply a packed lunch or pay for school meals. It is important that children are able to have a healthy meal during their time at school.
"While welcoming the Minister's commitment to date on the issue I am asking him to investigate extending the free school meal system to all children attending school. This would bring equality to the system and ensure that every child would get at least one substantial meal during term time."
On Monday, Education Minister, John O'Dowd, called on all families entitled to free school meals to take up their entitlement.
The Minister was speaking during a debate on free school meal uptake in the Assembly. During the debate, he revealed that almost one in five children who are eligible for free school meals do not avail of them.
He added: "The significance of free school meals must be seen in the context of my Department's overarching goals – 'to raise standards' and 'close the performance gap, increase access and equality'.
"Free school meals support the Programme for Government commitment to tackle disadvantage and close the gap in educational attainment between the least and most deprived communities.
"The particular challenges faced by pupils from lower income backgrounds in accessing, participating in and benefiting from, formal education are well documented and we should not underestimate the impact this can have on children's learning and development, on their educational attainment and ultimately on their lifetime opportunities."
(JP/CD)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
07 February 2024
Executive To Present 'United Case For Fair And Just Settlement'
The Executive will take a united case for a fair and just settlement for public sector workers and public services to Westminster, First Minister Michelle O'Neill and deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly have said.
Executive To Present 'United Case For Fair And Just Settlement'
The Executive will take a united case for a fair and just settlement for public sector workers and public services to Westminster, First Minister Michelle O'Neill and deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly have said.
05 February 2024
Executive Calls For Urgent Talks On Long-Term Funding Stability
The Executive has written to the Prime Minister Rishi Sunak to call for an urgent discussions on long-term funding stability to deliver public services.
Executive Calls For Urgent Talks On Long-Term Funding Stability
The Executive has written to the Prime Minister Rishi Sunak to call for an urgent discussions on long-term funding stability to deliver public services.
23 January 2024
Highrise Safety Cannot Progress Without Minister – Alliance
The Alliance Party has raised concerns that new safety plans by the Department for Communities designed to address fire safety in high rise buildings will not be delivered without a Minister to take them forward.
Highrise Safety Cannot Progress Without Minister – Alliance
The Alliance Party has raised concerns that new safety plans by the Department for Communities designed to address fire safety in high rise buildings will not be delivered without a Minister to take them forward.
22 March 2024
Communities Minister Pledges To Address The Housing Crisis
The Communities Minister, Gordon Lyons, has committed to increasing the number of social homes and providing more affordable housing options, in his keynote address at the Northern Ireland Housing Conference.
Communities Minister Pledges To Address The Housing Crisis
The Communities Minister, Gordon Lyons, has committed to increasing the number of social homes and providing more affordable housing options, in his keynote address at the Northern Ireland Housing Conference.
22 March 2024
Health Minister Praises Work Of Mater Hospital's EOSC Staff
Health Minister, Robin Swann, has highlighted the innovative work of staff at the Elective Overnight Stay Centre (EOSC) in Belfast's Mater Hospital.
Health Minister Praises Work Of Mater Hospital's EOSC Staff
Health Minister, Robin Swann, has highlighted the innovative work of staff at the Elective Overnight Stay Centre (EOSC) in Belfast's Mater Hospital.