To ask the Minister of Education for his assessment of the level of funding received by his Department in the Budget 2024-25.

The recently agreed Executive Budget provides the Department with an additional resource allocation of £296.3m, over and above the anticipated, flat-cash budget.

This is significantly less than what is required and leaves a considerable shortfall across the Education sector. I therefore have serious concerns that without significant additional funding in-year, the Department will not be able to deliver basic statutory services without overspending.

Given that my Department is leading on the Childcare Strategy, I welcome the £25m that the Minister of Finance has set aside for this key area of work.

Whilst I very much welcome the Capital Budget of £254m, which reflects an increase of over £80m on the 2023-24 opening position, my Department faces significant capital pressures particularly in regard to placements for children with statements of special educational need.

I will very shortly make final budget decisions.