AQW 48091/22-27

Mr Nick Mathison
Alliance Party
Strangford

Tabled Date: 08/06/2026
Answered On Date: 11/06/2026
Priority Written: Yes

Question:
To ask the Minister of Education for an update on any plans for the ongoing funding from his Department for Tiny Life, when the current funding extension expires at the end of June 2026.

Answer:

While the Budgets for 2026-27 or subsequent periods have not yet been agreed by the Executive, current indications are that my Department will have a significant resource funding gap in 2026-27, including in respect of funding for the Executive’s Early Learning and Childcare Strategy.

Further funding for TinyLife will be considered in the context of the final allocation of Earmarked Executive funding for the Early Learning and Childcare Strategy, and wider financial pressures.