AQW 2362/17-22

Ms Paula Bradshaw
Alliance Party
South Belfast

Tabled Date: 19/02/2020
Answered On Date: 02/03/2020
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister of Education what plans he has to allocate additional resources to Inner City South Belfast Sure Start, in order to take account of the changing demographics in the South Belfast constituency, with regard to the numbers of refugees and asylum seekers.

Answer:

The Sure Start Programme is funded by the Department of Education (DE) and administered on behalf of the Department by the Health and Social Care Board (HSCB). The Programme is delivered by 38 Sure Start projects across Northern Ireland.

I am aware of the excellent work done by a number of Sure Start projects, including South Belfast Sure Start (SBSS), in delivering a range of targeted programmes to ensure that refugees and asylum seeking families are offered appropriate support. I am advised that in addition to Sure Start funding SBSS has also benefited from funding from the “Wrap-Around” Educational Support Pilot Programme in 2019/20 which is helping to support ROMA families in the area.

I acknowledge that demographics in South Belfast have changed over time and my Department continues to liaise closely with HSCB concerning impact on delivery of Sure Start in the area. I am also conscious that we need to review our targeted Early Years interventions (including Sure Start) to ensure they continue to reach those most in need, within the budgets available. This is something my officials will be taking forward over the coming year. Budgets beyond this financial year are not yet known therefore no decisions have been taken in relation to future years.