| answer text |
<p>Milk is an excellent food for children’s growth and development. This is why, as
part of the School Food Standards, schools are already required to ensure milk is
available to all pupils who want it during school hours. The National School Milk
Subsidy Scheme can be used by primary schools to reduce the cost of milk for all their
pupils.</p><p> </p><p>Thanks to Universal Infant Free School Meals, pupils under seven
years old are already eligible for free milk when it is offered as part of their school
lunch. Older pupils entitled to benefits related free school meals are also eligible
for free milk when made available during the school day. This is in addition to the
free milk provided for children under five-years-old thanks to the Nursery Milk Scheme.</p><p>
</p><p>As with free school meals, the department believes it is important to support
those most in need and to ensure policy remains affordable and deliverable for schools.
The department does not have plans to change the current eligibility conditions for
the scheme.</p>
|
|
