The Department of Education makes the following Notice, in exercise of the powers conferred on it by section 38(3)(c) and paragraph 17(1), (2)(a)(ii), (4) and (7) of Schedule 17 to the Coronavirus Act 2020.
The attached Notice makes modifications to Article 58(1)(a) and (5)(a) of the Education and Libraries (NI) Order 1986 and comes into operation on 19 October 2020.
On 14 October 2020 the Executive agreed that all schools will close for an extended Halloween break from 19 to 30 October to assist in slowing the spread of Coronavirus. The attached Notice No. 14 will last for a period of 5 days from 19 October to 23 October 2020 when schools would normally have been open.
The modifications are necessary to enable the Education Authority to make direct payments in lieu of free school meals to families of pupils entitled to free school meals during school closures during the week 19 to 23 October due to the outbreak of Coronavirus. The Department considers that the issuing of the notice is an appropriate and proportionate action in all the circumstances to ensure those who currently benefit from free school meals continue to receive the means by which they can secure the provision of an adequate meal during school closures as a result of the current outbreak of Coronavirus in Northern Ireland.
Notice - Coronavirus Act 2020 Temporary Modification of Education Duties (No. 14) Notice (Northern Ireland) 2020