To ask the Minister of Education for an update on his Department's work to prepare for the standardisation of the pre-school education programme.

My Department has carried out significant preparatory work. This includes the successful “Amalgamation for Standardisation” pilot which facilitated the approval of full-time pre-school places via a streamlined process. A scoping study commissioned to provide a detailed evidence base for the development of a costed implementation plan is also nearing completion.

Once the scoping study report is received and the necessary financial and staff resources secured, detailed planning for implementation can commence.