15/04/2026
SDLP Councillor Calls for Full Funding of Holiday Hunger Legislation
SDLP West Belfast Councillor Paul Doherty has stressed the urgent need for holiday hunger legislation—currently passing through the Northern Ireland Assembly—to be fully funded to ensure its effectiveness.
The proposed legislation, which is scheduled for its Second Stage on Monday, aims to restore payments that were previously removed during the collapse of the Stormont institutions.
Councillor Doherty highlighted the significant strain placed on both households and community support services by the absence of these payments.
"The SDLP is fully supportive of holiday hunger legislation and restoring these much needed payments to families that were inexcusably taken away at a time when the Stormont institutions were collapsed," Councillor Doherty stated.
"Every period of school holidays community organisations see a huge spike in demand for help securing food parcels and other support. The removal of modest holiday hunger support put huge pressure on households and the situation will only get worse with continued rises in the cost of living."
Looking ahead to the implementation of the bill, the Councillor urged cross-departmental cooperation to ensure the policy translates into tangible relief.
"Holiday hunger legislation has the potential to make a real difference, but only if it is backed with funding. This is Sinn Féin legislation and the Sinn Féin Finance Minister must work with the Education Minister to ensure this opportunity to help people isn't lost," he added.
Councillor Doherty also highlighted the broader issue of poverty affecting the region, noting that the legislative measure, while welcome, is only part of a larger solution required to address the ongoing cost-of-living crisis.
"The Executive must also do far more to support families who will not qualify for these payments, but are in desperate need of support. I see every day how families on low incomes, facing high rents and mortgage payments are being squeezed and for many there is nowhere to turn. This is just one of many measures the Executive needs to introduce if we're going to tackle the poverty that permeates our communities."
The proposed legislation, which is scheduled for its Second Stage on Monday, aims to restore payments that were previously removed during the collapse of the Stormont institutions.
Councillor Doherty highlighted the significant strain placed on both households and community support services by the absence of these payments.
"The SDLP is fully supportive of holiday hunger legislation and restoring these much needed payments to families that were inexcusably taken away at a time when the Stormont institutions were collapsed," Councillor Doherty stated.
"Every period of school holidays community organisations see a huge spike in demand for help securing food parcels and other support. The removal of modest holiday hunger support put huge pressure on households and the situation will only get worse with continued rises in the cost of living."
"Holiday hunger legislation has the potential to make a real difference, but only if it is backed with funding. This is Sinn Féin legislation and the Sinn Féin Finance Minister must work with the Education Minister to ensure this opportunity to help people isn't lost," he added.
Councillor Doherty also highlighted the broader issue of poverty affecting the region, noting that the legislative measure, while welcome, is only part of a larger solution required to address the ongoing cost-of-living crisis.
"The Executive must also do far more to support families who will not qualify for these payments, but are in desperate need of support. I see every day how families on low incomes, facing high rents and mortgage payments are being squeezed and for many there is nowhere to turn. This is just one of many measures the Executive needs to introduce if we're going to tackle the poverty that permeates our communities."
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