Childcare: Strategy could enable 11,000 NI women to return to work, committee hears

Aoife Hamilton, pictured last year, said a childcare strategy could be "significant" for women who wish to return to work and their families

The right childcare strategy could enable 11,000 women in Northern Ireland to return to work, MLAs have heard.

Northern Ireland has a much higher of economic inactivity than the rest of the UK, which is also one of the reasons why productivity is low.

Economic inactivity is the term used to describe people who are not in work nor looking for a job - which includes the sick, disabled and carers.

Aoife Hamilton from Employers for Childcare addressed MLAs on Wednesday.

She told the Education Committee said that finding the right solution for childcare in Northern Ireland could remove the barrier of childcare for 11,000 women.

Aoife Hamilton was speaking to MLAs on Stormont's Education Committee

Significant for families

"There are about 31,000 economically inactive women in Northern Ireland who would like to be in work and 35% of those are inactive due to family caring responsibilities," she said.

"We've calculated out that's about 11,000 women - and that's only looking at women," she added.

"If we could address the barrier that is childcare that's preventing them from getting to work, that would have a be really significant for them and their families and the economy," she said.

There is no scheme in place for free childcare in Northern Ireland

Childcare providers and parents in Northern Ireland have been calling for support with rising costs.

Parents say they are being left behind as other parts of the UK benefit from childcare support measures.

It has been highlighted as a priority for the restored Executive, however some childcare providers have already been forced to close.

Birdies Day Nursery, which is privately run and has 60 places, has written to parents saying its last day will be Thursday.