To ask the Minister of Finance to detail her Department's (i) current; and (ii) planned commitment of (a) staff; and (b) resources to the Northern Ireland Childcare Affordability Scheme Task and Finish Group.

My department currently has two representatives on this Task and Finish Group – one representative from a budget perspective, and one from a policy perspective. No change to my Department’s staff and resource commitment is planned, but this will be kept under review.

The Executive agreed the 2024-25 Budget on 25 April 2024. This included £25 million to support the development of a Childcare Strategy. The Executive may increase the funding for this in-year when proposals are brought forward by the cross-departmental task and finish group established by the Education Minister to take forward the development of this.