To ask the Minister of Education to detail (i) an update on his decision regarding funding for the TinyStart programme delivered by TinyLife; and (ii) when a final decision is expected.

The Budgets for 2026/27 have not yet been set by the Executive, I am therefore not presently in a position to provide any commitments or timescales to funding for the TinyStart programme. Any decision regarding future funding will be considered in the context of my Department’s 2026/27 budget allocation, the allocation of earmarked funding for the Executive Early Learning and Childcare Strategy and wider financial pressures.

On that basis, no formal assessments of the impacts on children and families of any potential reduction or withdrawal of funding has been undertaken at this stage.