To ask the Minister of Education to outline (i) his assessment of the impact of inflammatory bowel disease on education; (ii) what support is available to pupils with Crohn's disease and Colitis who may need extended time off school; and (iii) how these students are supported to complete their education.

(i) The department does not hold any data on the number of children in school impacted by the conditions referenced. These conditions are not medical categories for inclusion on a school’s medical register.

(ii) & (iii) The Education Authority (EA) is committed to meeting the needs of our young people. This is reflected in the EA’s mission statement and in the Strategic Plan which aims at providing our children with the best possible start in life in order that they can fully realise their potential.

The EA has a duty to assist schools by putting arrangements in place to support the education of those children who through medical circumstances are unable to engage with school.

The Exceptional Teaching Arrangements (ETA) service delivers a high quality service to young people with medical needs in order to provide them with a continuity of education in core subjects and to facilitate a return to their registered schools as soon as possible.