Hot meals still off the menu at some local schools

Sinn Féin MLA Karen Mullan said parents have raised concerns that hot meals have not resumed in some of their children’s schools.
By Michael O’Kane
Published 15th Sep 2020, 14:56 BST
Updated 15th Sep 2020, 15:06 BST
Karen Mullan MLA.Karen Mullan MLA.
Karen Mullan MLA.

The Foyle MLA said: “I have written to the Education Minister asking when he expected the full hot meal service to resume but his answer was not reassuring. The Minister said that full meal services resumed on September 1, but later acknowledged that not all schools are in a position yet to offer the full service.”

She also voiced worries for those children and young people entitled to Free School Meals who are potentially missing out on their only hot meal of the day. “I will be following this up with the Minister and will be urging him to put in place whatever measures schools require in order to get the full school meals service restored.”

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According to a census the Department published in April, across all school types, including special schools, 96,686 pupils in NI were entitled to free school meals; this represents 28.4% of the total school enrolment.

Related topics:Sinn FeinKaren MullanEducation MinisterFoyle MLA