To ask the Minister of Health, pursuant to AQW 15278/22-27, to detail (i) the number of applications received for the most recent tranche of the Fair Play Grant; and (ii) the number that were awarded a grant.

(i) the number of applications received for the most recent tranche of the Fair Play Grant;

The Department of Health, through the Childcare Partnership, facilitates an annual grant scheme to ensure children with additional needs are included in early years services, known as Fair Play.

The funding provides support measures with a focus on the individual needs of children who are accessing quality play and learning experiences in registered community, voluntary and private provision throughout the academic year. These support measures can and do include additional staffing capacity.

The Childcare Partnership also provides free training for early years practitioners in a range of subjects to do with additional needs in tandem with this financial support.

In the 2024/25 tranche 154 registered early years settings applied.

(ii) the number that were awarded a grant.

The most recent figures indicate the number of applicant groups that benefitted from an award was 89 which included 343 children in their care.