Summer holiday food grant announced in Northern Ireland
Education Minister Michelle McIlveen has made the welcome announcement of a £12.6 million summer holiday food grant for families in Northern Ireland. Funding for school holiday food grants had previously been in place until Easter 2022, with further funding in doubt due to uncertainty over funding and the absence of an Executive.
The grant will run from 1 July to 31 August 2022, and will provide financial assistance to families whose children are entitled to a free school meal during term time, and who are eligible at the end of June 2022. Families will receive £13.50 per week for each eligible child.
Making the announcement, Minister McIlveen said:
“School holidays can create significant financial pressure for parents on low incomes and the ongoing cost of living crisis is causing further strain on household budgets across Northern Ireland…At a time when many families are already financially vulnerable, this payment will help to ensure that more than 100,000 of our children and young people can continue to access healthy, nutritious food this summer.”
Further information
If you would like advice on any other benefits or financial support your family may be entitled to, contact our Family Benefits Advice Service on 0800 028 3008 or email hello@employersforchildcare.org.
