SDLP East Derry MLA Cara Hunter has questioned why a Childcare Strategy for the North faces a lengthy delay.
She questioned Education Minister Paul Givan about the strategy in the Assembly on Monday.
He said that it would take a number of years to get a final strategy in place.
East Derry MLA Ms Hunter said:
“Parents across the North will be dismayed at the prospect of having to wait years before a proper Early Years and Childcare Strategy is put in place. When he took up the role the Minister said that delivering a strategy was ‘top priority’ so it will come as a shock that any meaningful intervention appears to be some way off.
“I talk to parents all the time who are really struggling due to the eye-watering costs associated with childcare. Many are currently paying more than their mortgage in childcare costs and women are deciding to give up their careers because they simply can’t afford to keep working. These people cannot afford to wait for years for action on this and it’s hard not to be demoralised at these comments from the Minister.
“We have seen some progress in recent months in the form of the Northern Ireland Childcare Support Scheme which the SDLP worked hard with others to shape at Westminster, but this is only a start. Without a proper Childcare Strategy the majority of parents are going to face a really difficult situation with knock on effects for our workforce, economy and the lives of these parents and their children.”