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108,300 records match, page 3025 of 4332.

  2. Debate contribution: Universal, Affordable Child-centred Childcare

    On a point of order, Mr Deputy Speaker. The Minister for Communities walked past while another Member was making a point of order and shouted to her, "Sit down". Is that in order?

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  3. Debate contribution: Universal, Affordable Child-centred Childcare

    On a point of order, Mr Deputy Speaker. Is it in order for the Minister of Education to imply that Alliance Ministers did not support the £25 million for childcare, especially considering the fact that the Alliance Party was the party that brought the proposals for subsidised childcare to the House? Those two parties…

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  4. Debate contribution: Universal, Affordable Child-centred Childcare

    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…

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  5. Debate contribution: Universal, Affordable Child-centred Childcare

    The point remains that the Minister's point was made on data that has been collected and is therefore accurate. I will see what I can get through. I want to acknowledge that, in general, in this place, there is goodwill towards childcare. We all want to see improvements for our constituents and families. Indeed, when…

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  6. Debate contribution: Universal, Affordable Child-centred Childcare

    Thank you, Mr Deputy Speaker. First, I will address what Mr Carroll said. I am not opposed to people's paying their tax or, indeed, better services for working-class people and everyone in society: it is just that the Member tends to lean towards pipe dreams without costing them. We heard that in his own speech in his…

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  7. Debate contribution: Universal, Affordable Child-centred Childcare

    Thank you. If I heard you correctly, Minister, with regard to £400 per month on average for childcare, I think that your figures are way off. People are paying way more than that. That is not the first time in the past week, I think, that you might be incorrect on that. You may want to check the figures that I…

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  8. Debate contribution: Universal, Affordable Child-centred Childcare

    I am impressed with the Minister's list. I was not suggesting that he had not done any other work. I think that he would note that we have acknowledged that he has taken action and made progress. Since he mentioned Sure Start specifically, I will say that it provides a fantastic service. One thing that it has been…

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  10. Debate contribution: Universal, Affordable Child-centred Childcare

    • Mr Paul Givan DUP
    • Opposition Business
    • As a minister

    Thank you, Mr Deputy Speaker. I welcome the opportunity to respond to the debate on a motion that speaks directly to the needs and aspirations of children and families across Northern Ireland. I very much welcome the motion before us, because it brings into focus something that is important to many people in Northern…

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  11. Debate contribution: Universal, Affordable Child-centred Childcare

    I have been something of a lone voice here in raising the fact that parents in Northern Ireland have been short-changed when it comes to childcare support. I welcome the belated recognition of that fact in the SDLP's motion. It ill becomes the House to seek to con the people of Northern Ireland that Stormont is doing…

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  12. Debate contribution: Universal, Affordable Child-centred Childcare

    Does the Member agree, in pursuit of the right childcare policy, that it should be evidence-driven, sectorally driven and parentally driven and that, while time is important, it is not the sole driver in the debate?

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  14. Debate contribution: Universal, Affordable Child-centred Childcare

    The cost of childcare is not just a personal issue for parents but an economic and societal issue that hinders progress across the region. From looking at the places that do childcare well, such as the Nordic countries, we see how affordable childcare systems create thriving economies, higher workforce participation,…

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  15. Debate contribution: Universal, Affordable Child-centred Childcare

    Certainly. I agree with the Member on the need for a holistic approach, and I am glad that she sees the worth in the current scheme. Did the Alliance Ministers support the £25 million allocation to the childcare and early learning scheme at the Executive?

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  17. Debate contribution: Universal, Affordable Child-centred Childcare

    I thank the SDLP for tabling the motion. I am glad to see that they have moved away from championing the free hours policy pursued by the UK Government. We all have seen that that policy has failed to reduce costs for families and has placed undue pressure on providers. That has led to provision being even more…

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  18. Debate contribution: Universal, Affordable Child-centred Childcare

    We all know that the early years of a child's life are critical. Research consistently shows that the foundations laid in those formative years have lifelong implications. Children who have access to quality childcare are not only better prepared for school; they develop essential life skills and become active…

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  21. Debate contribution: Universal, Affordable Child-centred Childcare

    I thank the SDLP for tabling the motion, which is absolutely worth our time. The pandemic had the effect of focusing policymakers' minds on childcare. Its function as vital economic infrastructure rather than just a domestic issue for mummies and grannies to deal with suddenly became understood. Rapid interventions…

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  22. Debate contribution: Universal, Affordable Child-centred Childcare

    The high cost of childcare is a serious burden on many families, and it leaves parents struggling to make ends meet after paying their essential bills. Delivering high-quality and affordable childcare across the island is a priority for Sinn Féin, and we are working hard to ensure that working families get a break and…

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  25. Debate contribution: Universal, Affordable Child-centred Childcare

    Thank you, Mr Deputy Speaker. High-quality, accessible and affordable childcare is one of life's basic essentials, but for too many families across the North, suitable and flexible childcare is too hard to find or the costs are simply far too high. Employers for Childcare reported that the average cost of a full-time…

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