To ask the Minister of Education to detail (i) any actions he is considering to improve pay for childcare workers; and (ii) any engagement he has had with the Minister for the Economy in relation to this issue.

The challenges facing the childcare workforce, including recruitment, retention, qualification levels and rates of pay are being considered as part of the development of the Executive Early Learning and Childcare Strategy. In conjunction with my Department, officials from the Department for the Economy, the Department of Health and the Department for Communities are exploring what actions might be possible in the context of a sector largely comprising private childcare businesses and self- employed childminders.