Debate contribution: Universal, Affordable Child-centred Childcare

Debate contribution by Ms Cara Hunter on 18 November 2024.

MLA

Ms Cara Hunter

Party at the time

Social Democratic and Labour Party

Date

18 November 2024

Type

Debate contribution

Business

Opposition Business

Heading

Universal, Affordable Child-centred Childcare

Assembly identifier

Official Report component 4656659

Read the official Assembly record

Text

Thank you, Mr Deputy Speaker. Unaffordable childcare costs impact on so many families in Northern Ireland. For so many, it is not just a policy issue but an everyday human struggle. Parents who work every hour that God sends are rightly angry, annoyed and tired. They are tired of working hard but somehow never having enough money. They are tired of not being able to afford the small, important things that make life worth living — small treats such as going out for dinner or a day out with the kids — while others can barely afford to eat, all so that they can afford childcare. Parents are weighed down and burdened by ever-increasing costs. Imagine being a family in which both parents work tirelessly, only to spend an average of £12,000 a year on full-time nursery care or £6,000 a year on after-school childcare. That makes childcare the second largest monthly expense after rent or mortgage payments. Parents are being forced to dip into savings, take out loans or even borrow money from family just to cover the basics. In some heartbreaking cases, parents even skip meals to keep their children in appropriate childcare settings. That has a huge impact on parents. When we talk about productivity and economic recovery, it is really important to think about the role that childcare plays. In Northern Ireland, 95% of parents report that the stress of childcare costs negatively impacts on their performance in the workplace. Alarmingly, 76% of parents have said that they have had to change their working arrangements, reduce hours, turn down promotions or leave the workforce entirely. That, of course, disproportionately impacts on women, forcing many to sacrifice careers that they worked so hard for and spent years building. From having the most caring responsibilities to the ever-present glass ceilings, women already carry a heavy weight on their shoulders when it comes to the workplace. They do not need another reason to be kept out of it. Another key point that has been echoed around the Chamber today is that the childcare sector is buckling under severe pressure and strain. I have met some incredible childcare providers in my constituency, such as Appletree Childcare in Glenullin. I had a really good conversation with the staff about the important role that they play in developing young people and being there for them. The amazing staff are so devoted, but they are under so much pressure. Across Northern Ireland, costs, including staff costs, are rising due to inflation. The Executive need to help our childcare sector. Up to 14% of providers have had to increase their fees just to keep their doors open. Providers tell us that they are at breaking point, and, sadly, families are being priced out of the system. I move briefly to Members' comments. I thank everybody who contributed. A wide range of views were expressed, but, ultimately, we all want to help parents and families across the North. Mr Carroll touched on the importance of supporting childcare providers that are struggling profusely. Cathy Mason talked about the importance of supporting working families by creating a strategy that looks at a long-term vision for the workforce and where we go from here. Michelle Guy referred to the fact that the delay with the strategy showed a lack of priority. She also said that the collapses that we have had over the past number of years certainly have not helped. The DUP stated that significant progress has been made. I agree that welcome steps have been taken, but we have a long way to go. A hugely important aspect of that is the childcare strategy. A lot of parents will be really concerned to hear that that might take years to come forward. We have come a long way from where we were, but we need to go much further. We need the childcare strategy to create the most effective change possible. The UUP re-emphasised just how essential childcare is and that we need the strategy now. For over a decade, we have been the only place across these islands without a childcare strategy. The time for warm words is over. Families and providers need action urgently. Let us not wait until more families are forced to choose between food and a future.

716 words. Text as published by the Northern Ireland Assembly.

Assessment

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Assessed 21 October 2026 at 11:31 UTC by jev-1.13.0 (requested as typesafe/jev) under rubric 2026.10-r9, methodology 1.9.

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