To ask the Minister of Education, pursuant to AQW 48861/11-16, what steps his Department is taking to address the number of eligible school children who do not claim free school meals.

The Department recognises that there are parents who are on benefits and would be eligible to apply for free school meals (FSM), who either choose not to apply or are not aware that they can apply for FSM. As detailed in the answer to AQW 48861/11-16, the Department issues a press release on an annual basis reminding all parents to consider whether they may be eligible to FSM and if so to apply. My officials are also working with colleagues in the Department for Social Development to explore ways of maximising the take up of benefits and additional support to which households are entitled including entitlement to FSM.

Both the EA and individual schools also play a key role in encouraging parents to claim their FSM entitlement. Some examples of the activities which they are involved in are detailed in AQW 48861/11-16.