Mr Patsy McGlone (Mid Ulster): To ask the Minister of Education whether any assessment has been made of the effectiveness of childcare support for parents seeking to enter or return to employment.
Minister of Education: The Northern Ireland Childcare Survey, commissioned by my Department and conducted by NISRA in 2024, found that 58% of households reported that the work, education or training decisions of a parent or guardian had changed as a result of childcare needs. Of those households, 60% said that the cost of childcare was a factor in those decisions. The most common change was a reduction in working hours (69%). Furthermore, if childcare was not a consideration, 55% of households said they would increase their working hours and 38% would seek a promotion.
These findings are consistent with other studies carried out locally, nationally and internationally – that the affordability and availability of childcare is a factor influencing labour market participation decisions. However, these decisions are often influenced by multiple factors, including wider caring responsibilities, availability of suitable employment, flexible working arrangements, transport and household circumstances.
ENDS
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