AQW 7706/22-27

Mr Nick Mathison
Alliance Party
Strangford

Tabled Date: 28/02/2024
Answered On Date: 07/03/2024
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister of Education for an update of the review of the common funding scheme.

Answer:

The Review of the Common Funding Scheme (CFS) Project was closed by the then Education Minister in March 2021. This was following advice from the Education Transformation Programme Board in light of funding uncertainty, the impact of Covid-19 and linkages to the Independent Review of Education.

My department is currently considering the Independent Review of Education's recent report, Investing in a Better Future (the Report), as well as carrying out internal consultation to inform a way forward. This process includes discussion with key education stakeholders including other relevant departments and Arms-Length Bodies.

The Report highlights the need to increase per pupil funding in Northern Ireland. Closely related to the level of investment in our schools is the funding method (i.e. the CFS and the Common Funding Formula). As such, re-starting the review of the CFS will be considered in conjunction with the various recommendations and the Report in my subsequent response.