AQW 21951/22-27

Ms Kate Nicholl
Alliance Party
South Belfast

Tabled Date: 05/02/2025
Answered On Date: 11/02/2025
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister of Education to detail any consideration he has given to expanding the Northern Ireland Childcare Subsidy Scheme to cover school-aged childcare provision.

Answer:

I have secured £50m in the draft 2025-26 Executive Budget, currently out for consultation, for Early Learning and Childcare provision. I am considering options, including what is affordable within the available allocation, to ensure the subsidy remains effective in reducing childcare costs for working parents.