27,647 children benefit from primary school uniform grant introduced by Minister Ruane

Sinn Féin MLA Gerry Kelly has welcomed a response from the education minister to a written Assembly question, which shows that 27,647 children benefited from the primary school uniform grant first introduced by Caitríona Ruane in 2009. The total grants paid out amounted to £988.336.

The North Belfast Executive Minister said:
“While I welcome the availability of this grant the rise in the numbers applying this year is an indication of the severe economic climate in which many families now reside. An extra 2,500 children were awarded the grant this year than in 2009.

“The grant of £35 per child will have helped in some way in aiding families during a very expensive time of the year with children returning to or starting school as will the widening of the Free School Meals scheme by the Sinn Fein Education Minister.

“This will also go some way in easing the financial pressures faced by many of the most vulnerable families in our community”