To ask the Minister of Education what measures he will take to address evidence that there is a link between poverty and cognitive outcomes in early years.

Research indicates that there is a clear link between poverty and cognitive outcomes in children's early years. In addition to the universal Pre-school Education Programme, my Department funds a range of targeted early years interventions for children aged 0-4 years. These interventions include Sure Start, the Pathway Fund and the Toybox project which provide developmental support to children from socially disadvantaged backgrounds who are at risk of educational underachievement, including cognitive delay.