To ask the Minister of Education to detail (i) the conditions attached to his Department's Early Years Fund as established in 2004; and (ii) how long his Department have had sole responsibility for Early Years provision.

The Early Years Fund is administered by Early Years – the Organisation for Young Children (EYO) on DE’s behalf. The Fund has effectively remained as a “closed” Fund since introduced by DHSSPS in 2004, to applicant groups that were in areas of greatest need of support to become sustainable at that time, following the ending of Peace II funding. The Fund was transferred to DE along with certain Early Years policies in 2006.

The original aims of the Fund were:

to help sustain certain early childhood services in areas of greatest need which were facing funding difficulties when Peace II funding ended, and

to support a number of Capacity and Development posts aimed at enhancing quality and good governance within the early childhood sector.

Applicant groups were required to demonstrate that they:

Provide direct early years care and education to children.

Provide a service in areas of low provision, disadvantaged areas or where the service is considered critical for children

Ensure inclusion and diversity; and

Ensure a standard of excellence in relation to quality.

DE does not have sole responsibility for early years work. Services for young children aged 0-6 and their families are funded, managed and delivered by a range of Departments.