AQW 37655/22-27

Mr Nick Mathison
Alliance Party
Strangford

Tabled Date: 07/01/2026
Answered On Date: 14/01/2026
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister of Education, pursuant to AQW 35167/22-27, to detail (i) the amount of funding allocated via the Non-Statutory Specialist Pre-School Provision for Children with Complex Needs and Severe Learning Difficulties, to providers to provide specialist pre-school placements; and (ii) the number of placements this funded, and (iii) the number of these places that have been allocated, in the 2025-2026 academic year.

Answer:

Education Authority (EA) has advised that:

(i)Specialist pre-school places do not exist within the Pre-School Education Programme in the non-statutory sector. However, there are a number of children with SEN that avail of a funded pre-school place within the non-statutory sector.

(ii) The total funding for 2025/26 school year is £311,865.42.

Kids Together – six placements confirmed.

Solás – one placement confirmed.

Consultations are ongoing and departmental approval is currently being sought for a further six placements.