To ask the Minister of Education for an update on the roll-out of the Tackling Educational Disadvantage programme.

Work is ongoing within the Department on the design of a new programme focussed on a whole community approach to education. This has been supported by input from a Stakeholder Reference Group consisting of representatives from schools and the voluntary and community sector.

The programme will deliver a key recommendation of the A Fair Start Report with place-based partnerships focusing on communities and families in the most disadvantaged areas.