To ask the Minister for the Economy to detail any discussions he has had with the Minister of Education in relation to a potential subsidy scheme for early learning and childcare workers to help improve their salary.

I am committed to working with the Minister for Education and other Executive colleagues to implement the Early Learning and Childcare Strategy.

I am aware that the childcare sector is facing challenges, including the recruitment and retention of staff. My department is working with the Department of Education, (DE) the Department of Health, (DoH) and the Department for Communities (DfC) to consider a range of interventions to support this sector.

DE has responsibility for the targeted business support scheme for childcare providers. However, as my department has expertise in delivering business support, my officials are assisting with this work. This includes an assessment of the relevant labour to develop a clearer picture of the type of supports that might be required. This exercise will involve direct engagement with childcare providers to gather insights into the challenges they face, the key issues impacting the financial sustainability of providers and options for a government intervention.

In the immediate term, I have committed £740,000 of my Skills Fund to support pathways into the childcare sector, helping the supply of workers into this critically important sector.