AQW 46784/22-27

Mr Nick Mathison
Alliance Party
Strangford

Tabled Date: 21/05/2026
Answered On Date: 26/05/2026
Priority Written: Yes

Question:
To ask the Minister of Education whether Bright Start grants will be released to enable settings to deliver summer provision in 2026.

Answer:

The Budgets for 2026/27 have not yet been agreed by the Executive. I am therefore not presently in a position to provide any commitments or timescales to funding.

Any decision regarding future funding will be considered in the context of my Department’s 2026/27 budget allocation, the allocation of earmarked funding for the Executive Early Learning and Childcare Strategy and wider financial pressures.