Childcare Sector: Support

Part of Oral Answers to Questions — Education – in the Northern Ireland Assembly at 2:30 pm on 30 June 2020.

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Photo of Peter Weir Peter Weir DUP 2:30, 30 June 2020

I understand that. It is clear that, if there is further funding, it has to be with an adjustment to the system. Some of those adjustments have taken place. For example, one of the problems was that, initially, there was a very narrow definition of key workers by the Department of Health. To be fair, the Department of Health has accepted that and has aligned its key worker situation with the rest of the Executive's position. From yesterday, we have moved to a position beyond key workers; everybody is in a position to apply to access childcare in those settings.

There have also been issues around the progression of the roll-out of money. Part of the problem is around the uptake and applications. With the range of other schemes available and alternative options, a lot of childcare settings were seeking another route. It is critical that we have that alignment, particularly with regard to the reopening of schools. The pressure on the childcare sector, if we do not get a full reopening of schools, will exasperate the present situation.

Additionally, the road map that the Executive have adopted around childcare recovery acknowledges changes within the family setting that will allow informal childcare to take place. That is not only important in providing alternatives but means that there will not be the same pressure or temptation for people to use unregistered childcare, which, in itself, has safeguarding issues.

It is a combination of all those things. We need to make sure that everything is aligned and, without sounding too much like an economist, that the supply and demand march hand in hand as we move forward, over the next few months.