Alan Lowry, FSB’s NI Policy Chair has welcomed Education Minister Paul Givan’s statement to the Assembly announcing a number of measures to support early learning and childcare provision.
Alan Lowry said:
“Minister Givan’s statement is a positive step forward which sets the scene for further expansion of early learning and childcare provision in the future. Whilst it is not the final solution, it has the potential to set childcare provision in Northern Ireland on the pathway to better outcomes.
“I think the Minister has listened carefully to childcare providers and parents, and his proposals are based on realism given current budget constraints and lack of fiscal strength and depth in the Executive’s budget.
“However, if we truly want a world class childcare system for parents and children in Northern Ireland, it will need a lot more investment on a recurring basis in the future to build upon today’s announcements. A piecemeal approach to ongoing investment in early learning and childcare provision will undermine well laid plans. Instead it should be looked upon as a necessary investment in economic infrastructure which will ultimately benefit everyone in Northern Ireland.”