AQW 26756/22-27

Mr Nick Mathison
Alliance Party
Strangford

Tabled Date: 08/05/2025
Answered On Date: 10/06/2025
Priority Written: Yes

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

Answer:

The stabilisation and expansion of the Pathway Fund requires expenditure approval from my Department. A business case supporting this request was submitted to the Department of Finance on 7 May 2025. This was part of a wider business case seeking expenditure approval for the full package of Early Learning and Childcare interim measures in 2025-26.

The business case is currently being reviewed by my officials as a matter of priority.