SDLP Foyle MLA Sinéad McLaughlin has slammed the announcement made today by the Education Minister Michelle McIlveen on childcare, saying it does not go nearly far enough to tackle the extortionate costs of childcare in Derry and across the North.
Minister McIlveen today announced that all children aged 3-4 should have access to a minimum of 22.5 hours of funded pre-school education per week, despite the fact that her own party’s manifesto committed to 30 hours per week.
Previous research undertaken by the Foyle MLA suggested that only 4% of families in Derry believed childcare was affordable in the city.
Said the Foyle MLA: “I find it deeply disappointing and frankly baffling that the Minister has chosen to row back on her own party’s commitment to childcare, particularly at a time when people are being pushed into poverty because of the extortionate costs that they are facing.
“Minister McIlveen must be aware, as parents right across the North are, that 22.5 hours per week of pre-school childcare is nowhere near enough for people who are struggling to make ends meet despite working every hour that is sent.
“We are already playing catch-up with the rest of these islands on this issue and we know from research that right here in Derry people simply cannot afford the extortionate costs.
“This has a particular impact on women who take up much of the caring responsibilities and who have been forced to cut back on their hours or give up employment entirely.
“The Minister’s Party seemed to recognise this in their Assembly manifesto, yet her proposal falls far short of her promise to voters and her announcement today will give scant comfort to those working in the sector on the immediate issues they are facing.
“Perhaps most disappointingly, the Minister’s costed options for many of her proposals will not even be ready for consideration until March 2023 and no-one can be assured her party will have even decided to go back to their jobs by that time.
“Ultimately, I am afraid her proposals do not go nearly far enough and she should revisit them with haste,” added Ms McLaughlin.
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