To ask the Minister of Education whether the proposal within the draft Early Learning and Childcare (ELC) Strategy to require all ELC providers, funded by Government, to pay their staff at least the Real Living Wage will also include those offering the Northern Ireland Childcare Subsidy Scheme.

The proposal in the draft ELC Strategy does not extend to those offering the Northern Ireland Childcare Subsidy Scheme (NICSS). Within the current parameters of the NICSS, funding is not provided to support the sustainability of participating childcare providers, many of which are private businesses, and therefore we are unable to impose any requirement to pay their staff the Real Living Wage (RLW).

Following finalisation of the consultation process, I will work with my Executive colleagues, including the Economy Minister, in finalising actions to promote the RLW with all early learning and childcare employing organisations.