Sinn Féin MLA Danny Baker tabled a private member's bill in the Northern Ireland Assembly to deliver financial support for meals to 90,000 children eligible for free school meals during holiday periods.

The measure directs payments to parents to cover costs of feeding children when schools operate outside term time.

The bill completed its first stage on the day of introduction.

Baker serves as Sinn Féin's spokesperson on children and young people. He described the bill as a contribution to tackling child poverty and committed to partnering with other assembly parties to move it forward.

Pupils qualifying for free school meals receive them during term time under current Northern Ireland education policy, leaving families to manage holiday periods independently.