To ask the Minister of Education, pursuant to AQW 30087/22-27, to detail when he will complete the development of long term options for nurture provision.

I fully acknowledge the significant value and impact of Nurture Provision, particularly in delivering timely interventions for pupils facing social, emotional, and behavioural challenges that may otherwise hinder their learning and academic progress.

The short and long-term benefits for these children are well-documented, most notably in terms of enhanced life outcomes. Moreover, there are wider societal and economic advantages, including the potential to reduce future demand on education, health, and justice services, which would otherwise incur substantially greater costs.

Against this background officials are currently finalising a series of options for the Department’s future, long-term approach to supporting Nurture provision, with a view to establishing a sustainable model that will ensure effectively targeting and supporting those children who are most in need of this type of intervention. These proposals will be brought forward shortly for my consideration within the context of the Department’s challenging budgetary situation.