AQW 55282/11-16

Ms Claire Sugden
Independent
East Londonderry

Tabled Date: 08/03/2016
Answered On Date: 23/03/2016
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister of Education to detail (i) when the final decision was made to reduce hours for nursery and pre-school children with special educational needs; and (ii) whether each of the 39 special education schools in Northern Ireland were notified of the final decision.

Answer:

In June 2015, the Education Authority agreed to move to a consistent provision of part time pre-school places for all special schools from September 2016. At that time, part time provision was already in place in 15 of the 29 special schools offering pre-school places. Special school principals were informed of the decision in October 2015.

Given the current level of concerns and what I consider to be a lack of proper consultation by the Authority with parents and schools on this matter, I have instructed the EA to undertake a review before making a final decision on pre-school provision in special schools.