Education Monday 16 September 2013

Defibrillators and Free school meals

Defibrillators for schools??? That was the question from SDLP MLA Karen McKevitt this afternoon during the Education Ministers questions. This is a possibility after the success of the World Police and Fire games as they are donating every Defibrillator that they had from the games to schools. (Question asked at 15.15pm)

Currently, some children who receive free meals at primary school lose out on the benefit when they move to secondary education.

The Education Minister plans to end that practice by September next year.

The children losing out on the free school meals are those whose parents are entitled to working tax credits, but the meals stop when the children leave primary school.

However, the Department of Education has said from September 2014 the free meals will be extended to all school-age children. Watch question time (at 15.26pm) and also read the full debate here for further information.