COMMUNITIES Minister Deirdre Hargey has welcomed the Executive’s approval to her request for amendments to existing Universal Credit (UC) regulations which pave the way for upfront childcare costs.
The move is part of the Minister’s ongoing response to the Covid-19 pandemic which includes a range of labour market interventions designed to help remove barriers to employment.
The minister’s proposals will see the introduction of a non-repayable grant of up to £1,500, paid in advance to a registered childcare provider.
The amendments to the current regulations will allow childcare payments made by the department to be used in the calculation of the person’s childcare costs element.
Ms Hargey said many people "do not have the resources to pay upfront childcare costs which most childcare providers require.
"For women, lone parents and low income families especially, this can act as a major barrier to employment," she said.
"Affordable, flexible and accessible childcare allows parents to access work, improve their workplace skills and employability, or continue to be economically active".
She added: "The provision of upfront childcare costs is part of my wider response to the impact of Covid-19 on the labour market, which ensures that those who have been most impacted by the pandemic get the support they need to return or move into employment as soon as possible".
