To ask the Minister of Education how many children receive free school meals in East Antrim.

Provisional figures sourced from the 2021/22 school census report that there were 3,662 pupils enrolled in schools located in the East Antrim constituency that were recorded as being entitled to free school meals. This figure includes pupils enrolled in nursery schools, primary/preparatory departments (including nursery units, reception and year 1 – 7 classes), post primary and special schools.

Please note that data are provisional at this time and may be subject to change before the end of the validation process, which is still ongoing. Figures relating to free school meal entitlement, specifically, are expected to rise. This is due to a large number of late or incomplete free school meal applications made to the Education Authority. Finalised figures will be available at the end of February 2022.