Debate contribution: Preschool Places: Non-statutory Settings

Debate contribution by Mr Jonathan Buckley on 23 March 2026.

MLA: Mr Jonathan Buckley
Party at the time: Democratic Unionist Party
Date: 23 March 2026
Type: Debate contribution
Business: Oral Answers to Questions
Heading: Preschool Places: Non-statutory Settings
Assembly identifier: Official Report component 5465429

Text

The Minister will recognise that it is a very anxious time for parents, particularly as stage 1 completes today. He will also recognise that preschool, playgroup and nursery places are vital for the viability of many schools, particularly some of our rural schools, whose ability to be agile as numbers fluctuate in the years ahead has been frustrated, limited and made difficult. I ask the Minister whether he will seek to ensure that children, especially those in rural areas with more limited options, have access to the appropriate settings, which will help feed local primary schools and ensure their viability into the future.

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

Part of an exchange

This follow-up belongs to: Oral question AQO 3322/22-27.

Assessment

Not analysed

This is the same MLA’s follow-up within the exchange on their own question. It is analysed together with that question and is not counted separately, so one question is never counted twice.

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