To ask the Minister of Education to detail (i) the number of children on the waiting list for education welfare support; and (ii) the steps he is taking to increase the number of education welfare officers.

There are currently 2,229 children on the waiting list for Education Welfare Support.

A review of the Education Welfare Service has been completed which proposes the need to transform the service to provide more effective and timelier support through prevention and early intervention. The associated business case is being finalised by the Education Authority and will be submitted shortly to the Department for consideration.