AQW 24781/22-27

Mr Nick Mathison
Alliance Party
Strangford

Tabled Date: 21/03/2025
Answered On Date: 07/04/2025
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister of Education whether he plans to protect the budget for the Pathway Fund in the 2025-26 budget.

Answer:

The increased level of eligible demand for the Pathway Fund exceeds what can be funded from my Department’s 2025-26 opening resource allocation. I therefore intend to seek Executive approval to enhance the Pathway Fund budget from the Early Learning and Childcare Strategy funding being held centrally. This reflects the approach taken in 2024-25.