To ask the Minister of Education for his assessment of the impact on staff retention of delaying an uplift in funding for Sure Start ahead of the April rise in the minimum wage.

I have met recently with many of the Sure Start managers who have conveyed the potential impact of budget uncertainty on retaining staff within the programme.

To provide budget clarity I have therefore confirmed an interim 2024-25 Sure Start funding allocation and aim to confirm final allocations as soon as I have confirmation of my Departmental budget from the Northern Ireland Executive.