To ask the Minister for Communities to detail his Department's commitment of (i) staff; and (ii) resources to the the Northern Ireland Childcare Affordability Scheme Task and Finish Group.

Ensuring that the work of my Department aligns with the development of a Childcare Strategy is one of my key priorities. To this end, and in response to a request from Minister Givan for staff resources to assist development, three senior officials from my Department have participated to date on the Northern Ireland Childcare Affordability Scheme Task and Finish Group.

Discussions have focussed on how my Department’s existing supports and ongoing policy work, particularly on addressing poverty, can complement the work of the Task and Finish Group and my Department has not committed specific financial resources. As this work progresses, I will keep my Department’s commitments under review to ensure that they remain supportive of the broader Childcare Strategy’s objectives.