AQW 31498/22-27

Mr Nick Mathison
Alliance Party
Strangford

Tabled Date: 18/09/2025
Answered On Date: 26/09/2025
Priority Written: Yes

Question:
To ask the Minister of Education to detail any plans he has to implement Plans of Action for Specialist Provision in Mainstream Schools, similar to Operational Plan 2: 2024-26 Special Schools – Plans of Action.

Answer:

Specialist Provision in Mainstream Schools offers a strategic approach to supporting the special school estate in Northern Ireland by building capacity within mainstream settings.

The success of this initiative not only depends on the availability of capital funding, but also the willingness of individual schools to establish specialist classes, which currently limits the ability to create or implement a Plans of Action for Specialist Provision in Mainstream Schools.

The Education Authority (EA) has identified key areas of pressure for the coming years, which will enable it to proactively engage with those schools, helping to ensure that emerging demand is effectively met.

However as outlined in my executive paper, given the many competing needs for capital investment across the schools’ estate, I will require a significantly increased and sustained ring-fenced capital budget allocation to fully implement the published action plans. I would greatly welcome your support in securing all Executive parties support for this approach.