AQW 32916/22-27
Mr Nick Mathison
Alliance Party
Strangford
Tabled Date: 07/10/2025
Answered On Date: 21/10/2025
Priority Written: No
Question:
To ask the Minister of Education to detail the number of pupils living in families who have homelessness status, in each of the last three academic years that have been supported through the exceptional circumstances process to access transport to attend school as a result of being moved to temporary accommodation outside of the school catchment area.
Answer:
Neither my Department nor the Education Authority (EA) holds records of pupils living in families with homelessness status that have been supported through the exceptional circumstances process for transport assistance. Not all children and Young people experiencing homelessness disclose their living arrangements. However, data is available for successful exceptional circumstances appeals where transport assistance was granted due to enforced relocation to temporary accommodation outside the school catchment area: Summary of Successful Appeals: Academic Year | Successful Cases | Reason | Notes | 2022/23 | 1 | Intimidation | - | 2023/24 | 5 | 4 x Intimidation 1 x Property was Condemned by Local council | 4 out of the 5 successful cases were siblings | 2024/25 | 1 | Intimidation | - | 2025/26 year to date | 0 | - | - |
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