AQW 37655/22-27 Written question to the Minister of Education
To ask the Minister of Education, pursuant to AQW 35167/22-27, to detail (i) the amount of funding allocated via the Non-Statutory Specialist Pre-School Provision for Children with Complex Needs and Severe Learning Difficulties, to providers to provide specialist pre-school placements; and (ii) the number of placements this funded, and (iii) the number of these places that have been allocated, in the 2025-2026 academic year.
Asked by Nick Mathison MLA on 7 January 2026
- Answered
- Written
- Tabled
- 7 January 2026
- Answer due by
- 22 January 2026
- Answered
- 14 January 20267 days after tabling
- Department
- Department of Education
- Priority question
- No
Answer
Education Authority (EA) has advised that:
(i)Specialist pre-school places do not exist within the Pre-School Education Programme in the non-statutory sector. However, there are a number of children with SEN that avail of a funded pre-school place within the non-statutory sector.
(ii) The total funding for 2025/26 school year is £311,865.42.
Kids Together – six placements confirmed.
Solás – one placement confirmed.
Consultations are ongoing and departmental approval is currently being sought for a further six placements.