To ask the First Minister and deputy First Minister to detail (i) the function of the £12 million childcare budget as allocated in 2011; (ii) the amount spent to date been spent to date; and (iii) a breakdown of the expenditure.

When the Executive’s Childcare Fund was established in 2011 it was envisaged that it would provide all departments who have a role in childcare with an opportunity to deliver against improving the affordability and accessibility of quality childcare. With the launch of “Bright Start” the first phase of the Childcare Strategy in 2013, the Childcare Strategy Programme Board agreed that the Fund should be used strategically to meet priority needs, notably the need for school age childcare

To date, we have spent £4.2 million from Central Funds. This approach will maximise the impact of the £12m Fund, delivering long term benefits that address real childcare needs. The balance will continue to be used to resource the Key First Actions contained in Bright Start.

A full break down of spending to date on Bright Start (Key First Actions) implementation is shown below.