AQO 2144/22-27 Oral question to the Minister of Education
To ask the Minister of Education for an update on the review of the Supporting pupils with Medication Needs guidance being undertaken by his Department, with specific reference to the management of food allergies.
Asked by John Blair MLA on 5 June 2025
- Answered
- Oral
- Answered in the Chamber
- Tabled
- 5 June 2025
- Answer due by
- 16 June 2025
- Answered
- 16 June 202511 days after tabling
- Department
- Department of Education
- Priority question
- No
Answer
Answered in the Assembly Chamber on 16 June 2025. Extract from the Official Report (Hansard), including any supplementary questions:
Mr Givan
My Department is progressing an update to the guidance on supporting pupils with medication needs in collaboration with the Department of Health and the Education Authority. Officials have met parents and organisations representing pupils with allergies, including Food Allergy NI and the Benedict Blythe Foundation. The information that is shared at those meetings is being considered as part of the review of the current guidance.
Mr Blair
I thank the Minister for that reply. Further to that, what changes, if any, will the EA implement in time for the new school year?
Mr Givan
It is a hugely important area and one that lacks data. From census figures, we know the number of young people who have anaphylaxis, for example, but that is not properly captured in the education data. Schools, particularly through their catering services, ensure that meals and menus, for example, are screened for allergen content before being used. Obviously, when it comes to the various special dietary needs, when catering staff in the Education Authority and schools consider their policies, they take them very seriously. We are doing an important piece of work to update the current procedures to make sure that the right support is made available.