To ask the Minister of Education, pursuant to AQW 14805/22-27, for his assessment of the need to provide additional financial support to preschool and nursery settings with children looked after on their enrolment as is currently given to primary settings.

My department is aware of the need to extend the support currently available to children looked after (CLA) in primary schools to those attending preschool and nursery settings, as well as those in post-primary school.

The current model of support for CLA delivered by the EA’s Primary Children Looked After Advisory Service (PCLAAS) was developed under the Early Intervention Transformation Programme. This model has been piloted for primary-aged children only at this stage. However, research indicates that CLA in nursery and preschool settings would also benefit from similar interventions and support.

There are, however, operational factors that inhibit the potential extension of current provision. These factors include the challenging funding context, as well as significant pressures within the health workforce. My department continues to work closely with colleagues in DoH and the EA’s PCLAAS to improve outcomes for children looked after.