It was seconded by Alliance colleague Cllr Christine Bower.

Cllr McAteer has said: “As we are all aware, the cost of living crisis has affected the delivery of all support-type services across Belfast, and it has had a massive impact on the delivery of council-funded summer schemes.

“Smaller budgets, resulting from the increasing price of, for example, food, energy, fuel, staffing, resources, and transport, mean that for many scheme providers the experiences they’re offering often are not the full extent of what they could, or would like to, and it’s a real shame.

“Summer schemes are an invaluable resource for lower-income families, providing parents and carers with affordable and accessible childcare during the summer months, while offering children and young people social, educational, and recreational experiences they may not have been able to afford otherwise, as well as lasting memories that often become the highlight of their summer.

“If the financial packages we provide as a council do not stretch to cover the increasing cost of living, there is a real risk that summer scheme providers in the future may be unable to provide the same services for as many children and young people as they currently do.

“Our motion is asking officers to explore how summer scheme budgets can be increased to allow providers to continue offering first class services without placing more financial burden on hard-working parents. We’re sure a way forward can be found, and eagerly anticipate the findings of the report.”