To ask the Minister for the Economy to outline any action she is taking to improve the affordability of childcare for those in further and higher education.

The Executive is committed to high quality, affordable childcare as a key enabler for an inclusive, thriving economy.

There are practical supports in place in both Further and Higher Education to help with childcare costs, , as well as in our range of skills initiatives.

In Further Education, Further Education Grants, the Further Education Hardship Fund and the Care to Learn scheme aim to address barriers to education including costs of childcare to enable individuals to fulfil their potential.

My Department is conducting a review of all further education student support measures including childcare, to ensure funding is targeted fairly, tackles the most significant barriers and delivers value for money.

The Higher Education Student Support Regulations include two specific childcare support schemes.

The first is the Childcare Grant which offers help to meet childcare costs for students with dependent children aged under 15 (or 17 if they have special educational needs) in registered or approved childcare.

The second is the Parents’ Learning Allowance which offers help with course-related costs for students with dependent children.

I am committed to continue working with the Minister of Education on the development of the Early Learning and Childcare Strategy.