To ask the Minister of Education what plans she has to provide free school meals to all children in reception classes.

The Department is currently undertaking a review of Free School Meals and Uniform Grant eligibility criteria. The review has considered a wide range of options that include the provision of a universal free school meals to some/all year groups as well as raising the income thresholds that apply to the eligibility criteria for applicants in receipt of Universal Credit or Working/Child Tax Credit. Children attending reception classes are included within this work.

My Department continues to work to develop a costed options paper and it is intended that a public consultation exercise will take place later in the year.