To ask the Minister of Education whether Bright Start grants will be released to enable settings to deliver summer provision in 2026.

The Budgets for 2026/27 have not yet been agreed by the Executive. I am therefore not presently in a position to provide any commitments or timescales to funding.

Any decision regarding future funding will be considered in the context of my Department’s 2026/27 budget allocation, the allocation of earmarked funding for the Executive Early Learning and Childcare Strategy and wider financial pressures.