Mr Patsy McGlone (Mid Ulster): To ask the Minister of Education to detail any steps he is taking to ensure that primary schools offer a broad range of after-school clubs.
Minister of Education: My Department provides funding in respect of the Extended Schools Programme (ESP), which allows schools serving the most disadvantaged areas to offer a wide range of services or activities outside of the normal school day to help meet the learning and development needs of pupils, their families and local communities.
In 2025/26, I provided £8.1 million of Extended Schools funding to support the delivery of a broad range of after-schools clubs. In 2024/25, 58.5% of Extended Schools activities took place after school.
I have provided an interim allocation of £2.25 million to the Education Authority to support the ESP through to the end of the current academic year. Funding beyond this period cannot be confirmed until a final budget has been agreed by the Northern Ireland Executive.
Beyond the Extended Schools Programme, schools can provide after-school clubs at their own discretion, using their existing resources and in line with their individual priorities.
ENDS
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