Delivering childcare strategy remains priority of whole executive, says dFM

The Stormont Executive is determined to deliver a comprehensive childcare strategy for Northern Ireland, despite the challenging budgetary position, the deputy First Minister has said.

Emma Little-Pengelly said the provision of affordable childcare was a priority for her and First Minister Michelle O’Neill.

On Monday, as Stormont marked 100 days since devolution returned, a campaign group pressing for action to tackle mounting childcare costs, Melted Parents NI, suggested little has been achieved since then, other than “numerous photo ops” at a time when costs have gone up by 20% in year.

Parents in Northern Ireland can access some Government support, including schemes for tax free payments.

However, there is no scheme in place for free childcare in Northern Ireland, unlike in England where 30 hours are offered per week.

Earlier this year, Education Minister Paul Givan said a new early learning and childcare strategy for Northern Ireland could cost £400 million a year.

In last month’s budget paper agreed by ministers, £25 million was ringfenced for development of a childcare strategy.

Ms Little-Pengelly was asked about the issue during Assembly question time on Monday.

“Affordable childcare is a priority not just for the First Minister and myself, and we’ve said that many times, but I believe indeed for the entire of the Executive,” she said.

“There are challenges in terms of the budget situation that we are currently in.

“But it is absolutely right that that development of an affordable childcare strategy started immediately and it did. It was discussed at the first Executive meeting.”

Ms Little Pengelly said officials in Mr Givan’s department were drawing up recommendations for short-term action, and he would be bringing those forward “very, very shortly”.

She added: “But, of course, the longer term strategy will require co-production, co-design. It has to be the right strategy, with the right interventions. But we want to do that as quickly as we can.”

The DUP MLA said she had been working on affordable childcare for “many, many years”.

“It has been a frustrating journey,” she said.

“But there’s no doubt that pre-school, nursery care and other interventions can support families in relation to the affordability of their childcare.

“We need a comprehensive, affordable childcare strategy. And it’s important that there are many different elements of that that fit in and that includes around child education and child development.

“I think all of these elements can be helpful.

“But, of course, we do need that comprehensive childcare strategy and the First Minister and I are determined to ensure that this is an executive that delivers it.”