Campaigners claim minister attempting to undermine 'Holiday Hunger Bill'
The education minister has warned it would immediately cost his department £20m a year at a time when it is already struggling to balance its budget.
Campaigners say minister is trying to weaken 'Holiday Hunger Bill'
Paul Givan has now put forward amendments that would allow him to choose when the payments start
Campaigners have accused the education minister of trying to weaken a proposed Stormont law that would assist poorer families with food costs.
The Democratic Unionist Party's (DUP) Paul Givan has repeatedly criticised the legislation, which is being introduced by Sinn Féin assembly member Danny Baker.
Givan has said it would immediately cost his department £20m a year at a time when it is already struggling to balance its budget.
The issue is due to be debated in the assembly on Monday.
Givan has now proposed amendments that would give him the authority to delay implementation.
He will need backing from other parties for the amendments to pass.
It is unclear whether he will secure that support, although the Ulster Unionist Party (UUP) has voiced reservations about the proposal.
The payment would be issued during school holidays to help with food costs
Because it is linked to school meals, the scheme would be funded by the Department of Education.
It is based on the School Holiday Food Grant scheme launched during the pandemic, which gave eligible families £27 per child every fortnight.
In April, Givan told MLAs that his department did not have the funding for the scheme, meaning they would be voting to reduce education spending if they backed it.
He has now proposed amendments that would give him discretion over when the payments would begin.
A coalition of campaign groups, including the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (NSPCC) and Save the Children, says the amendments would leave "no guarantees about when, if ever, payments might begin".
They added: "We are calling on all political parties and all MLAs to reject the amendments tabled by the education minister and support the bill as it currently stands."