Parents of children who normally receive free school meals will be given vouchers to spend on essential groceries during school closures.

The Department of Education, Sport and Culture said that the free school meal voucher scheme will see eligible parents receive a one-off voucher to cover the three week lockdown period - equivalent in value to 15 free school meals.

Vouchers will be valued at £35 for each primary school child and £44 for each secondary student.

Posted out at the end of last week, the vouchers can be used to buy groceries, excluding alcohol, lottery tickets, tobacco and non-food products.

They are eligible at any Shoprite or Co-Op store before expiry on January 31.

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Most island schools and nurseries closed on Thursday, January 7, except for 14 educational hubs kept open for vulnerable children and those of essential workers.

The free school meal voucher scheme was first introduced in April last year during the first lockdown to help parents provide meals for their children during the first lockdown.

Dr Alex Allinson MHK, Minister for the Department of Education, Sport and Culture, said: ’This government remains committed to providing free school meals to all eligible children.

’We understand that this 21-day circuit breaker, starting so soon after Christmas, will add to any financial pressures families might be facing, but we hope this voucher scheme will help.’