AQW 43039/22-27

Mr Nick Mathison
Alliance Party
Strangford

Tabled Date: 24/03/2026
Answered On Date: 31/03/2026
Priority Written: Yes

Question:
To ask the Minister of Education whether he will extend funding for the SEN Inclusion Fund for settings in receipt of funding until the end of the current academic year.

Answer:

As you will be aware, no Executive Budget has yet been agreed for 2026/27. Current indications are that Education is facing a projected funding gap of c£0.6 billion in 2026/27, increasing to c£0.9 billion in 2028/29.

Funding decisions for the 2026/27 financial year will be taken following confirmation of my Department’s 2026/27 final opening budget.