11 March 2026
SDLP Opposition MLA Sinéad McLaughlin has called on the Executive to urgently allocate the funding required to ensure the continuation of the Northern Ireland Childcare Subsidy Scheme (NICSS) beyond March 2026.
She was speaking after submitting an urgent question to the Minister of Education seeking clarity on the future of the scheme, which is due to expire at the end of this month.
Ms McLaughlin said:
“Parents are facing a cliff edge when it comes to the future of the Childcare Subsidy Scheme. With the scheme due to end at the end of this month, families still have no confirmation from the Minister of Education on whether the funding is in place to allow it to continue.
“That uncertainty is causing real anxiety for parents across the North, who are becoming increasingly concerned that they will be unable to cover the cost of the lost subsidy. For working families - this is the difference between being able to stay in work or being forced to cut hours or leave the workforce altogether.
“While the NICSS is not perfect, it was a significant step forward, delivered through sustained pressure from the childcare sector and cross-party engagement. It has provided meaningful savings for parents and it must not be allowed to fall away because of a failure to secure the necessary funding.
“The draft Childcare Strategy made clear that the Department intends to continue the scheme beyond March 2026 and increase the subsidy from 15 per cent to 20 per cent next year. Those proposals are welcome, but they will mean nothing if the Executive does not provide the funding needed to make them happen.
“The Programme for Government contains a clear commitment to delivering more affordable childcare. That commitment must now be matched with resources. Too many parents, particularly women, are already being pushed out of the workforce by the cost of childcare. Allowing this scheme to lapse would send completely the wrong signal.
“The SDLP is calling for the continuation of the NICSS, an increase in the subsidy cap, and stronger action to tackle rising childcare fees. Without those steps, childcare will remain unaffordable for too many families.”