AQW 43561/11-15

Ms Claire Sugden
Independent
East Londonderry

Tabled Date: 11/03/2015
Answered On Date: 16/03/2015
Priority Written: Yes

Question:
To ask the Minister of Education, pursuant to AQW 43347/11-15, following his Department's meeting, to detail the funding allocation for 2015/16, including details of what date funding will end.

Answer:

The funding allocation for 2015/16 for the Early Years Fund (which is administered on DE’s behalf by Early Years – the Organisation for Young Children) is £941,000. This will enable all recipient groups to receive continued funding to the end of the current academic year i.e. 31 August 2015.

I will continue to review my budget to establish if a fund can continue beyond that date. However, any such fund will have to be open to all, not just current recipients and reflect the policy priorities of DE.