SDLP Foyle MLA Sinéad McLaughlin has welcomed the announcement of £50 million allocated towards childcare in the budget.
While recognizing this as a positive step forward, Ms McLaughlin emphasised the need for greater ambition to fully address the childcare challenges facing families in the North of Ireland.
Said the Foyle MLA: “This funding is an important acknowledgment of the childcare crisis that has been putting families under enormous financial strain.
“The SDLP has campaigned tirelessly for increased investment in childcare, and this announcement is a step in the right direction.
“However, it must be noted that the allocation is less than the Barnett Consequential received from the UK Government’s budget, meaning we are not realizing the full potential of what could have been delivered for parents and providers.
“The SDLP has always believed that childcare is not just a support for families but a critical part of our economic and social infrastructure.
“While this funding is a welcome start, it must be seen as the beginning of a sustained effort to reduce costs for parents, improve conditions for childcare workers, and ensure providers are adequately supported to deliver high-quality care.
“In October we launched Our Childcare Guarantee which sets out a clear vision for families: affordable, sustainable, and high-quality childcare for all.
“This funding must be the first step towards making that vision a reality, by freezing costs for parents and building the infrastructure needed to ensure childcare is accessible and affordable for everyone.
“Childcare is an investment in our children, our economy, and our society, and we will keep fighting to ensure every child and every family gets the support they need.”
Tags: