AQW 26269/22-27

Mr Nick Mathison
Alliance Party
Strangford

Tabled Date: 29/04/2025
Answered On Date: 19/05/2025
Priority Written: Yes

Question:
To ask the Minister of Education whether enhancing the Pathway Fund from the £50 million budget allocated for the Early Learning and Childcare Strategy in 2025-26 requires Executive approval.

Answer:

Release of the £50m for Early Learning and Childcare (ELC) to my Department was contingent upon the Executive approving my ELC Strategy plan for 2025-26. As I outlined in COR 0507-2025, I sought Executive approval for that plan in a paper circulated to Ministerial colleagues on the 8 April. It included a proposal to enhance the Pathway Fund budget. The Executive approved the plan on 15 May 2025.

This additional funding means that all Pathway applicants which have met the eligibility requirements in 2025-26 can receive an award. Early Years settings eligible for Pathway funding, will soon receive confirmation of their 2025-26 award from Early Years (EYO) which administers the Pathway Fund on behalf of my Department.