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WQ.436/2024
WRITTEN QUESTION TO THE MINISTER FOR EDUCATION AND LIFELONG LEARNING
BY DEPUTY L.M.C. DOUBLET OF ST. SAVIOUR
QUESTION SUBMITTED ON MONDAY 2ND DECEMBER 2024
ANSWER TO BE TABLED ON MONDAY 9TH DECEMBER 2024
Question
"In relation to the funding allocated for nursery spaces for 2-3 year olds, will the Minister advise –
- whether the funding approved in the Budget (Government Plan) 2025-2028 differs to the funding allocated within the growth bids in the last two years, and if so, by how much;
- how many children were supported, or could have been supported, under the funding provided in each of the last two years; and
- the number of children that will be able to be supported under the 2025 budget funding?"
- AnswerThe funding approved in the Budget (Government Plan) 2025-2028 is in addition to any funding allocated within growth bids in the last two years. The increase in value is as approved in the Budget, see table below:
- Up to 100 children are supported through various provisions including directly funded childcare, supported childcare (e.g. key worker support) and Best Start Together provisions.
- The nature and cost of provisions vary, meaning a simple correlation between levels of funding and the number of children supported is not possible.
The number of new children supported will be reported through Common Strategic Policy (CSP) governance. For example, two new pilots launched in schools in 2024, will support up to 28 new places for children.
As a model for a universal approach to childcare for 2-3-years-olds is developed it will be possible to express a more specific number of children that can be supported by Budget 2025-2028 funding. Further details on how this funding may be invested is set out in R168-2024.