Ulster Unionist MLA, Sandra Overend, member of the Employment & Learning Committee welcomed the presentation and report by the Employers for Childcare Charitable Group to the DEL committee today. The presentation highlighted their affordable childcare awareness campaign and their new approved Home Childcare Scheme. Marie Marin, Chief Executive Officer and Nora Smith, Policy & Information Manager also highlighted the economic and social problems related to the cost of childcare and its impact on the labour market.
 
Sandra, who represents Mid-Ulster and is her Party’s Spokesperson for Children & Young People, said;
 
“The issue of childcare is a major factor influencing parents going out to work, both in terms of the availability of childcare and its cost. I am particularly pleased that the relevance of how this issue affects our economy here in Northern Ireland has been highlighted to our committee. During my first few months as an MLA I met with Employers for Childcare and am convinced that the work that they carry out is significant and should be further promoted. This is not just an issue for women, as some would see it, but for all of society. I am pleased that I can support this cause and raise the awareness of the scheme.
 
Affordable childcare is a major help to many parents who want to work but lose out because they cannot get affordable, appropriate and flexible childcare. As the group stated this is an economic and labour market issue.
 
There are two schemes which are under used and can be availed of by parents: Childcare Vouchers and Working Tax Credits, and it is important that parents avail of this financial support where they can, after all, if this is not taken up the money remains with the Treasury at Westminster, rather than being spent in the Northern Ireland economy.  I was disappointed to learn that the uptake of the Childcare Voucher Scheme is only 2% compared to 7% in the rest of the UK which seems very low in comparison. 
 
The Employers for Childcare representatives also highlighted their Approved Home Childcare social enterprise business model and I was impressed that they are keen to take the responsibility of hiring, training and hiring childcare and feed them into an approved home childcare Service.
 
As a working mother I know the pressures of trying to balance work and family life. Finding childcare which is affordable is crucial in helping families to get themselves out of poverty and to improve their living standards, and I was particularly pleased today that the Employment & Learning Committee agreed to highlight this issue to the DEL Minister and to continue to look at this issue within the committee.”