Commissioner’s statement on the Holiday Meals Payment Bill

Danny Baker, MLA, presented the Holiday Meals Payment Bill in the NI Assembly yesterday as it reaches the next stage of the legislation process. NICCY fully supports the passing of this Bill.

Commissioner Chris Quinn shares what this will mean for thousands of low-income families in NI.

“I warmly welcome the Assembly’s decision yesterday to pass the Holiday Meals Payment Bill to its next stage, following a clear majority vote of 55 in favour and 24 against. This is a significant and positive step towards tackling holiday hunger and food poverty, with the potential to support up to 90,000 children across Northern Ireland during school holiday periods.

“I support the Bill because it recognises a long‑standing gap in provision for children from low‑income families when schools are closed. NICCY defends every child’s right to the highest attainable standard of health, including access to adequate, nutritious food. For too many children, this right is undermined during school holidays, when support linked to education provision falls away.

“The proposal to extend holiday meal payments to families entitled to Free School Meals is an important and practical measure to ensure children do not go hungry. However, NICCY’s research has shown that 41% of children living in poverty do not qualify for Free School Meals, highlighting the urgent need to extend eligibility to children in working families who are not in receipt of benefits, and to take proper account of family size when setting income thresholds.

“The Bill rightly reflects growing concern from food charities about their capacity to meet demand following the discontinuation of School Holiday Food Grants.

“This legislation offers an opportunity not only to address immediate need, but to protect children’s dignity, wellbeing and mental health. No child should experience embarrassment, anxiety or hunger simply because school is closed.

“However, this Bill cannot stand alone. It must sit within a robust, properly resourced Anti‑Poverty Strategy, underpinned by clear actions, measurable targets and accountability, to address the structural causes of child poverty. Without this, children and families will continue to face avoidable hardship year after year.

“The Assembly now has an opportunity to show leadership and commitment by ensuring this Bill is progressed, resourced and embedded within a wider strategy that places children’s rights, dignity and wellbeing at its core. No child in Northern Ireland should be left hungry – ever!”