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The Education Minister has said that its department has not carried out any research on the impact of holiday hunger in Northern Ireland as he confirms there will be no payments to households this year. Foyle SDLP MLA Mark H Durkan asked the minister if the Department of Education would be introducing a holiday hunger payment this year and if it had carried out any research of the impact of holiday hunger on families in Northern Ireland. A holiday hunger scheme was introduced during the Covid pandemic in 2020 and saw families who earned below the support threshold receiving a payment of £27 per child during the school holidays. However, this was scrapped in 2023 due to a lack of funding. A private members bill for a holiday hunger payment has been introduced to the Stormont Assembly by Sinn Fein MLA Danny Baker who has said he hopes it can be past by the Summer of 2026. Following confirmation from Education Minister Paul Givan that there would not be a payment this year and that his department has not looked at the impact of holiday hunger, Mr Durkan said: "Deeply disappointed that the Education Minister has refused to reinstate the holiday hunger payment. "For some children, a hot school meal is the only guaranteed nutritious meal they receive in a day. When schools close for holidays, too many families are left stretching already tight budgets just to ensure their children are fed. "We know this works. Schemes like this already exist in Scotland, Wales and parts of England. Other governments have recognised the link between healthy meals and a child’s educational development, wellbeing and ability to learn. "The evidence is clear: "This is one issue that shouldn’t be controversial. It’s about dignity. It’s about fairness. It’s about ensuring every child has the same chance to learn and thrive. "I’ll continue pushing for the Executive to get this right. Because children in the North deserve no less than children anywhere else." For all the latest news, visit the Belfast Live homepage here and sign up to our daily newsletter here.
