She was speaking after proposing a motion on the issue in the Assembly today. Speaking afterwards the DUP MLA said,
“Every child deserves the best start in life and positive early action can result in benefits throughout their life. That is why the DUP set out an ambitious plan to deliver for children and parents on childcare. The Executive agreed to ring-fence £25million to progress this, marking the most significant enhancement of yearly years investment in Northern Ireland in decades.
We are already seeing the impact of that investment with the parents of 14,000 children receiving a 15% reduction on their childcare bills through the Childcare Subsidy Scheme. A major expansion of preschool education will see an additional 2,503 children get a full-time place in preschool in September 2025, with more to follow in subsequent years.
Whilst the Education Minister has taken major strides forward we await action from the Department for the Economy. The Economy Minister was allocated £2million to carry out an in-depth assessment of the sustainability challenges faced by many childcare providers. We need to determine the support needed by this vital part of our economy. They need support and they need to see the Economy Minister taking action to review, support and save this sector.
There is no point in expanding childcare schemes if the sector is not supported to deliver that expansion. If there is to be meaning behind an Executive priority on childcare then all relevant Ministers need to make it a priority. The DUP is committed to helping children get the best start in life and to helping working parents with one of the most significant bills they face. Those parents and children deserve to see everyone playing their part.”