Cllr Bower said: “Every child deserves access to literature and a chance to have a childhood full of education and imagination through a love of books. I am very pleased that the scheme to provide free reading materials and literacy development tools to refugee children in their native languages has been granted funding by council, as it will be a valuable resource to many children. 

“The scheme aims to provide refugee children, who have arrived in Belfast due to unfortunate and unforeseen circumstances, with literature in their native languages, whilst also delivering reading support programmes to their parents and carers, allowing them to empower their children and develop their literacy skills.

“Sadly, we have seen an influx of refugee children in our city who have had a very difficult start to life and who are currently living in hardship. Reading in your own language plays a key role in child development, and this scheme will allow these children to maintain their native languages through literacy development. It will also provide benefits such as preserving their cultural identity, maintaining critical family relationships, and developing their cognitive abilities.

“I look forward to seeing this important scheme implemented and hope it positively impacts many children's lives.”