AQW 49589/22-27

Mr Nick Mathison
Alliance Party
Strangford

Tabled Date: 25/06/2026
Answered On Date: 29/06/2026
Priority Written: Yes

Question:
To ask the Minister of Education for an update on (i) the Pathway Fund budget for 2026-2027; and (ii) any engagement he has had with organisations currently in receipt of Pathway Funding, to ensure continuity of funding

Answer:

The Pathway Fund is partially funded through the budget my Department receives from the Executive for the Early Learning and Childcare (ELC) Strategy. Unfortunately, Executive budgets for 2026-27, including ELC amounts, have not yet been agreed. I am currently engaging with my Executive colleagues to seek their urgent agreement for the required funding.

In the absence of a final agreed Executive budget and to ensure vital services provided by the Pathway Fund are protected, I approved funding for the first quarter of the 2026-27 financial year. I have since approved funding for a further quarter, extending support until the end of September 2026. My officials have directed the fund administrator (Early Years) to notify Pathway recipients of their continuation awards.