Eligibility breakdown for Free School Meals

Summary

The request sought the number of children eligible for free school meals and a breakdown by specific parental benefits. The Department of Education, Sport and Culture disclosed the total number of students in receipt of meals and the number of applicants eligible under three specific benefit categories as of May 2022.

Key Facts

• The data provided is accurate as of 30th May 2022.
• There were 2110 students in receipt of free school meals.
• 495 applicants were eligible due to receiving Income Support.
• 1026 applicants were eligible due to receiving Employed Persons Allowance.
• 41 applicants were eligible due to receiving Income Based Job Seekers Allowance.

Data Disclosed

• 2110 students
• 495 applicants
• 1026 applicants
• 41 applicants
• 30th May 2022
• 21 June 2022
• 22nd June 2022
• 19 July 2022
• 2505469

Original Request

How many children are currently eligible for free school meals? Of this number, can you please provide a breakdown of how many are eligible due to their parent/carer receiving each of the following benefits - employed person's allowance, income support or income based job seeker's allowance.

Data Tables (2)

Full Response Text

Policy, Strategy and Governance Division Department of Education, Sport and Culture Thie Slieau Whallian Foxdale Road St John’s Isle of Man IM4 3AS Telephone: (01624) 685808 Website: www.gov.im/dec Email: dec@foi.gov.im Our ref: 2505469 19 July 2022

Dear ###,

We write further to your request which was received on 21 June 2022 and which states:

"How many children are currently eligible for free school meals? Of this number, can you please provide a breakdown of how many are eligible due to their parent/carer receiving each of the following benefits - employed person's allowance, income support or income based job seeker's allowance.” On 22nd June 2022 we asked you to confirm if your request refers to how many children are currently in receipt of free school meals. On 22nd June 2022 you responded to confirm ‘in receipt of’ would be acceptable.

Our response to your request is as follows: I have detailed below the information that is being released to you. The data below is accurate as of 30th May 2022. The total number of students in receipt of free school meals is as follows: 2110 students The total number of applicants (parents/carers) eligible for free school meals due to receiving Income Support is as follows: 495 applicants The total number of applicants (parents/carers) eligible for free school meals due to receiving Employed Persons Allowance is as follows: 1026 applicants The total number of applicants (parents/carers) eligible for Free school meals due to receiving Income Based Job Seekers Allowance is as follows: 41 applicants

Please note that the breakdown of figures does not equal the total number of students in receipt of free school meals as we are only able to export the breakdown of data by applicant. The applicant may have more than one child attached to their record. Please quote the reference number 2505469 in any future communications. Your right to request a review

If you are unhappy with this response to your freedom of information request, you may ask us to carry out an internal review of the response, by completing a complaint form and submitting it electronically or by delivery/post.

An electronic version of our complaint form can be found by going to our website at https://services.gov.im/freedom-of-information/Review . If you would like a paper version of our complaint form to be sent to you by post, please contact me and I will be happy to arrange for this. Your review request should explain why you are dissatisfied with this response, and should be made as soon as practicable. We will respond as soon as the review has been concluded. If you are not satisfied with the result of the review, you then have the right to appeal to the Information Commissioner for a decision on; 1. Whether we have responded to your request for information in accordance with Part 2 of the Freedom of Information Act 2015; or 2. Whether we are justified in refusing to give you the information requested.
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I will now close your request as of this date.