SDLP West Belfast Councillor Paul Doherty has said that holiday hunger legislation passing through the Assembly must be fully funded.
The legislation is having its Second Stage on Monday.
Councillor Paul Doherty said:
“The SDLP is fully supportive of holiday hunger legislation and restoring these much needed payments to families that were inexcusably taken away at a time when the Stormont institutions were collapsed.
“Every period of school holidays community organisations see a huge spike in demand for help securing food parcels and other support. The removal of modest holiday hunger support put huge pressure on households and the situation will only get worse with continued rises in the cost of living.
“Holiday hunger legislation has the potential to make a real difference, but only if it is backed with funding. This is Sinn Féin legislation and the Sinn Féin Finance Minister must work with the Education Minister to ensure this opportunity to help people isn’t lost.
“The Executive must also do far more to support families who will not qualify for these payments, but are in desperate need of support. I see every day how families on low incomes, facing high rents and mortgage payments are being squeezed and for many there is nowhere to turn. This is just one of many measures the Executive needs to introduce if we’re going to tackle the poverty that permeates our communities.”