AQW 31242/22-27

Mr Nick Mathison
Alliance Party
Strangford

Tabled Date: 16/09/2025
Answered On Date: 19/09/2025
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister of Education whether he will be providing funding for the provision of summer schemes in special schools for summer 2026.

Answer:

I fully recognise the importance of providing clarity to schools in relation to this matter at the earliest opportunity. However, as you are aware, department budgets for 2026-27 and beyond have not yet been agreed by the Northern Ireland Executive.

The Department of Finance recently commissioned an exercise to assess budget requirements for the periods 2026/27 to 2028/29. My Department has submitted its return and is awaiting the outcome of this exercise.

Similar to recent financial years, I anticipate a significant resource overcommitment next year and beyond. Consequently, any additional funding required to provide summer schemes for our children with special educational needs will need to be considered alongside other significant funding pressures my Department will face.

I remain committed to advocating for investment in Education. Given the scale of pressures faced by the Northern Ireland Block Grant, the Executive needs to continue to make the case to HM Treasury for additional funding.