To ask the Minister of Education to detail (i) his plans to extend the Income Support Scheme for Substitute Teachers beyond 7 March 2021, given only minimal work will be available for substitute teachers due to only pre-school and classes P1 to P3 attending from 8 March 2021; and (ii) whether the decision by the Westminster Government to fully open all schools from 8 March will affect the funding available for the continuation of the scheme.

I have agreed to a phased reopening of schools in March. As well as teaching each of the returning year groups, schools will be providing a mixture of face-to-face teaching, remote learning and supervised learning for vulnerable and key workers’ children and it is likely that demand for substitute teachers will increase.

The Substitute Teachers’ Income Support Scheme 2021 was initially announced to cover the period to 12 February, and was extended to 7 March 2021. I have also approved a further extension of the scheme to 31 March 2021.

The decision by the Westminster Government to fully open all schools from 8 March will not affect the funding available for the continuation of the scheme.