So far local councils could voluntarily participate in the national programme to feed children during the summer holidays, the state secretary said, noting that the scheme has cost the central budget 3 billion forints this year.

If parliament passes the proposal into law, councils will provide free meals to children not only in the summer, but during the spring, autumn, and winter recesses, Czibere said.

“Once that step is taken, we will fully cover children in poor families both during the school season and in holidays,” he said. He added that meals for children throughout the year would cost a total 71.7 billion forints (EUR 229m) in 2016.

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MTI photo: Marjai János