To ask the Minister of Education, pursuant to AQW 25625/22-27, to detail (i) the scope of the Pupil Allocation Number allocation processes review; and (ii) when this review will be completed.

While the operational processes regarding the management of the pre-school admission process and the allocation of funded pre-school education places to non-statutory settings are entirely within the remit of the Education Authority (EA), I have asked the EA to carry out a review of the current systems and processes and propose potential options for change and improvement, addressing the need for a fair balance between funded provision in statutory and non-statutory pre-school settings and greater clarity and certainty for non-statutory pre-school providers in terms of their Pupil Allocation Number (PAN) allocations over the short, medium and long term.

To ensure that any relevant recommendations can be incorporated within the draft Early Learning and Childcare Strategy which I intend to bring to the Executive later this year, I have requested a copy of the EA review proposals by end May 2025.