AQW 40913/22-27

Ms Paula Bradshaw
Alliance Party
South Belfast

Tabled Date: 18/02/2026
Answered On Date: 02/03/2026
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister of Education to detail any guidance that exists for childcare providers on managing the timing of payments in a way which does not unfairly penalise parents, while enabling the provision to continue.

Answer:

Private childcare providers are independent businesses. My Department has no authority to intervene in their commercial decisions, including invoicing practices and billing cycles.