Debate contribution: Nurseries: Penultimate-age Children

Debate contribution by Mr Paul Givan on 6 October 2026.

MLA: Mr Paul Givan
Party at the time: Democratic Unionist Party
Date: 6 October 2026
Type: Debate contribution (made as a minister)
Business: Oral Answers to Questions
Heading: Nurseries: Penultimate-age Children
Assembly identifier: Official Report component 5776940

Text

Like the Member, I found that the changes were welcomed in my constituency. I am not surprised by that, given the number of parents who were often deeply frustrated that their child was discriminated against. The SDC criterion was established in 1998 to maximise access to funded preschool places for children from socially disadvantaged backgrounds. However, that was at a time when only 45% of immediate preschool places were being funded. All preschool places are now catered for by way of provision. The circumstances have significantly changed from what they were 30 years ago.
Welfare reform has also had an impact. As welfare reform has expanded provision, many more young people and families have been able to avail themselves of the criterion, because it has been incorrectly read into by EA. That was not the original basis upon which decisions were taken for the criterion to be applied. This not only corrects that change but ensures equality of access for all children.

162 words. Text as published by the Northern Ireland Assembly.

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