27/02/2024

SF Calls For Urgent Delivery of Affordable Childcare

Sinn Féin's Childcare Spokesperson has urged the Executive to prioritise delivering affordable childcare for parents and families.

Speaking ahead of a presentation by Employers for Childcare to the Education Committee this week, Cathy Mason MLA, said: "Delivering high quality, affordable childcare is a priority and it is absolutely essential in ensuring our young people get the very best start in life.

"I look forward to hearing from Employers for Childcare this week, who represent many providers. They will brief members of the committee on the pressures facing childcare.

"Last week, I asked the Minister of Education to look at providing immediate support for providers and I have urged him to prioritise finalising a childcare strategy that delivers high quality care for our children, affordability for parents, sustainability for providers, and which values childcare workers.

"I look forward to working with all the parties, childcare providers, workers and families to help shape this much needed new childcare strategy."


Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.

23 July 2024
11 Police Station Enquiry Offices To Close On 01 August
The PSNI have confirmed that 11 police station enquiry offices will permanently close at the end of the month. The closures had been announced in April this year, due to "the current financial and resource pressures facing the Police Service of Northern Ireland", reducing the number of enquiry offices from 28 to 17.
24 November 2021
NI Faces Childcare Crisis That Could Impact Parent's Ability To Work
Northern Ireland could be facing a childcare crisis which would have a severe impact on parents' ability to work, the Employers for Childcare (EfC) charity has warned.
21 June 2021
Childcare Support Funds Extended
Two Covid-19 childcare support funds are to be extended, Education Minister Michelle McIlveen has announced. This includes a third phase of the Childcare Sustainability Fund for the period 1 April to 30 June 2021 and the Childcare Covid-19 Temporary Closure Fund from 1 April to 30 September 2021.
05 December 2023
Full-Time Childcare Now More Than £10,000 A Year In NI
The average cost of a full-time childcare place in Northern Ireland is now more than £10,000 a year, an increase of 14% since 2021, according to a new report from Employers For Childcare (EFC).
19 June 2019
Families Under Strain This Summer As Childcare Costs Rise
Many parents are set for an "extremely difficult" summer due to increasing childcare costs, a report has found. The average cost of a full-time childcare place in Northern Ireland is £166 per week, equating to over one third of median household incomes, the charity Employers for Childcare has found.