Motion

Increasing Free Childcare

Motion TitleIncreasing Free Childcare

Motion TextThat this Assembly notes the 2014 Employers for Childcare survey which indicated that 46 per cent of parents in Northern Ireland reduced their working hours or left work due to a lack of affordable childcare; recognises that greater childcare provision would be a key catalyst in bolstering the economy, retaining a skilled workforce and improving the lives of working families; further notes that the Childcare Bill announced in the Chancellor of the Exchequer’s July Budget will increase free preschool childcare entitlement for three and four-year-olds to 30 hours a week in England; and calls for the establishment of an equal 30 hours of free childcare locally as part of a move towards the establishment of an universal childcare model.

Motion CategoryPrivate Members' Motion

Date Tabled to Business Office01/09/2015

Date Selected By Committee01/09/2015

Date of Plenary Debate14/09/2015

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Tabled By

Member Name	Tabled As
Mr Patsy McGlone	MLA - Mid Ulster
Mr Seán Rogers	MLA - South Down
Ms Claire Hanna	MLA - South Belfast

Bills

Outcome/Voting

The Motion Was Carried by Oral Vote

Amendments

Selected Amendments

No amendments tabled were selected for this motion.

Other Amendments Tabled

Tabled Date	Amendment Text
08/09/2015	Leave out all after ‘notes’ and insert: ‘the need for greater investment in early care and education provision, including childcare, which is appropriate to the age and stage of a child’s development; recognises that for children up to 12 years old such investment can lead to greater social, emotional and economic benefits at both an individual and societal level; further recognises that investment will improve outcomes for all children so that they can reach their full potential, help to grow the economy, provide for a skilled workforce, as well as address the issue of gender equality; further notes that there may be a Barnett consequential in respect of childcare due to the Chancellor of the Exchequer’s July Budget; and calls for any such Barnett consequential to be allocated in its entirety to early care and education provision including for 0-3 year olds, expansion of pre-school provision for 3-4 year olds and increased after-school provision for 4-12 year olds.’

Tabled Date

Amendment Text

08/09/2015

Leave out all after ‘notes’ and insert: ‘the need for greater investment in early care and education provision, including childcare, which is appropriate to the age and stage of a child’s development; recognises that for children up to 12 years old such investment can lead to greater social, emotional and economic benefits at both an individual and societal level; further recognises that investment will improve outcomes for all children so that they can reach their full potential, help to grow the economy, provide for a skilled workforce, as well as address the issue of gender equality; further notes that there may be a Barnett consequential in respect of childcare due to the Chancellor of the Exchequer’s July Budget; and calls for any such Barnett consequential to be allocated in its entirety to early care and education provision including for 0-3 year olds, expansion of pre-school provision for 3-4 year olds and increased after-school provision for 4-12 year olds.’

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Increasing Free Childcare

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