§ Mr. WorthingtonTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) how his nursery voucher scheme will address the needs of the most deprived children in the most deprived areas; [15455]
(2) what powers (a) the education and library boards and (b) the private sector will have to top up the value of nursery vouchers; [15453]
(3) if he will make a statement about progress made on the introduction of the nursery voucher scheme in Northern Ireland and the time scale of the next steps to be taken; [15457]
(4) what estimates he has made of the costs of introducing a nursery voucher scheme in Northern Ireland; [15452]
(5) what discussions he has had with private providers of pre-school care about the nursery voucher scheme; and what was the outcome of those discussions; [15456]
(6) what is (a) the cost of providing a full-time nursery education place in each of the education and library boards in Northern Ireland and (b) the intended value of a voucher; and what proposals he has to meet the difference between (a) and (b). [15454]
§ Mr. AncramNursery vouchers will be introduced in Northern Ireland in 1997. The scheme will operate on similar lines to that in other UK regions, with all children being eligible for a voucher in the term after their fourth birthday. Details of the proposed arrangements in Northern Ireland will be made available for comment as soon as possible. New legislation will be required and this will be the subject of consultation later this year. The Government have provided an additional £8 million to meet the costs of the scheme in Northern Ireland, based on a voucher value of £1,100 for a full year.