Article 58 requires, in accordance with arrangements approved by the Department, the provision of milk, meals or other refreshment for pupils in attendance at schools . As schools open for priority groups from 24 August , the Department considers that the issuing of the notice is an appropriate and proportionate action in all the circumstances so as to allow the Summer Food Payment scheme, a Covid-19 measure which makes payments to families of over 100,000 school children during the months of July and August, to continue until 31st August. This prevents logistical problems which would invariably arise in families with school children of varying ages, where the children attending school become entitled to free school meals whilst the other children of the family who remain at home cannot yet receive that provision and therefore require an alternative.
The dispplication of Article 58 is necessary for the limited period of 24 August – 31 August. The Notice allows for the provision of food to a pupil in attendance at the school who appears to require it on humanitarian grounds.
Under paragraph 17 of Schedule 17 of the Coronavirus Act 2020 the Department is required to publish the notice and to take steps as the Department considers reasonable to bring the notice to the attention of those likely to be affected by it.
Coronavirus Act 2020 Temporary Disapplication of Education Duties (No.11) Notice (Northern Ireland) 2020 - Signed and Sealed.PDF