To ask the Minister of Education whether voluntary organisations will be able to avail of the funding secured by the Education Authority for the cost of the licence fee and any other associated costs to ensure that a transition to a Directly Licensed Centre is initially cost neutral, as is available for Voluntary Grammar Schools, Grant Maintained Integrated Schools and Independent Schools.

The DofE Northern Ireland office has notified the Education Authority (EA), that Voluntary Grammar Schools, Grant Maintained Integrated Schools, Independent Schools and some voluntary youth organisations are not permitted to operate under the terms of the current EA Operating Centre Licence. DofE Northern Ireland have written to affected schools and voluntary youth organisations inviting them to become a ‘Directly Licensed Centre’.

I understand DofE Northern Ireland have assured affected settings that they have secured funding for the cost of the licence fee and any other associated costs (staff training, or additional insurance premiums) to ensure that a transition to a Directly Licensed Centre is initially cost neutral for schools and voluntary youth organisations and that there is a longer-term plan for ongoing licence fee support. The funding for the initial license fee will come from DofE NI directly.