“There are mounting pressures in education, from the potential cut in special educational needs provision to transport matters, but it would be an absolute disgrace to see any reduction in the school uniform grant. The cost of school uniforms is already difficult for many families to meet and this move could place them further in hardship.
“In my role as Deputy Chair, I called the Education Minister to the Committee to warn him directly about the impending crisis which was possible down the line due to issues with the education budget.
“The families affected by this matter have been let down by the DUP and Sinn Fein, who refuse to form an Executive despite these mounting issues. If this is not a priority for those parties, then families who benefited from this grant will be left as casualties.”