To ask the Minister of Education for an update on the pay and grading review for non-teaching staff.

My officials are currently working with the Education Authority to urgently address queries in relation to the Pay & Grading review business case. I have asked them to complete this work as quickly as possible as I am committed to ensuring that support staff in the education sector are paid at a fair level for the important work they do.

There are significant costs associated with the Pay & Grading review and my Department will need additional funding from the Executive in order to implement its recommendations. While funding for the review was not provided as part of the recent financial package from HM Treasury, the Finance Minister has advised that this issue can be revisited as part of the Budget 2024-25 process.