Free School Meals for all children may be back on the table after the Department for Education confirmed a review is under way on this and Uniform Grant eligibility.

But while this was widely welcomed, it will be at least a year before there will be any decision either way.

Previously, members of Fermanagh and Omagh District Council clashed over who should drive the initiative forward – the Minister for Education, Michelle McElveen; Minister for Finance, Conor Murphy; or both.

Education Authority statistics indicated 5,644 applications were received for free school meals in the district, of which 3,397 were issued, which Councillor Donal O’Cofaigh, Independent, felt “confirms a strong desire for this [free school meals]”.

He continued: “Some English councils, cash-strapped as they may be, are affording free school meals for all. Why doesn’t Stormont do this, considering the obvious demand that exists which is not being satisfied?”

He proposed writing to both ministers requesting “consideration for all children to receive free school meals”, adding: “It is vitally important young people have adequate nutrition. This is probably one of the easiest ways to address real poverty.”

Independent Councillor Emmet McAleer agreed, noting Minister Murphy has yet to receive a bid from Minister McIlveen, and: “We should encourage her to do so. We need to keep the pressure on.”

Opposed

While Sinn Fein’s Councillor Siobhan Currie entirely supported free school meals, and agreed that Minister McIlveen should be contacted, she opposed writing back to her party colleague, Minister Murphy, as “he has made it clear this is a matter for the Department of Education”.

She continued: “It’s not his job to do everybody’s else’s. I wholeheartedly support free school meals, and we should fight for them, but this must be directed to the right place.”

Councillor Eamon Keenan, Independent, said: “Send it to whatever ministers it needs to go to.”

Of 33 members who voted, 24 were in favour, with three against and six abstentions.

All Democratic Unionists, the SDLP and Independents supported the proposal, as did Stephen Donnelly of the Alliance Party.

However, while the majority of Ulster Unionists voted in favour, Councillor Howard Thornton voted against, and Councillor Bert Wilson abstained.

Sinn Fein meanwhile were also divided, with Councillor Sheamus Greene in support, while party colleagues Anthony Feeney and Chris McCaffrey voted against.

Councillor Siobhan Currie, Councillor Anne-Marie Donnelly, Councillor Catherine Kelly, Councillor Barry McElduff and Councillor Thomas O’Reilly all abstained.

Meanwhile, BBC Local Democracy contacted the Department of Education asking if the Minister for Education supports Free School Meals for all children, and if so, can this be met within the current budget, and if not, will a funding bid be made to the Minister for Finance?

In response, a spokesperson replied: “The Department has commenced its Review of Free School Meals and Uniform Grant eligibility criteria.

“The review will consider a number of options, including universal Free School Meal provision for certain year groups or all pupils, and is expected to conclude by early 2023.

“Decisions in relation to the way forward and any potential bids will be taken at this stage.”