To ask the Minister of Education to detail the rationale for reducing nursery and pre-school provision for children in special education schools.

I have asked the Education Authority to urgently revisit its decision regarding pre-school provision for children placed in special schools.

Before reaching a final decision on how pre-school provision in special schools should be designed and delivered, I have called on the EA to provide me with assurances that there has been full and open engagement with those most directly affected by any decision on pre-school provision in special schools and that they have been listened to. I have also emphasised that the overriding consideration must be how best to meet the needs of the children who will be accessing that provision.