Question Time: Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister Monday 7 September 2015
Deputy First
Minister, Martin McGuinness and Junior Minister, Jennifer McCann answered
questions on behalf of the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister
during today’s Question Time. Ms McCann addressed concerns around the current
childcare system and its ability to deal with an increased demand for services
and staff given the proposed changes expected in the Childcare
Strategy. The aim of the strategy is to “give all of our children the best
start in life, preparing them for lifelong well-being and achievement, thereby
creating the basis for a better and more prosperous future”. It is intended to
create more childcare places which will lead to an increased demand in skilled
childcare workers. The Department is working closely with the Department for
Employment and Learning on estimating the extent of demand for new training
places and the incurrent costs. The strategy will also cater for disadvantaged
children “to ensure better life chances for them and help to break the cycle of
intergenerational poverty” with the aim of making childcare more affordable for
all.
During
topical questions the deputy First Minister was asked about the representations
made to the British Prime Minister and European representatives regarding the
current Syrian refugee situation. Mr McGuinness conceded that recent talks with
the Prime Minister have centred on the current difficulties within the Assembly
and how to move those forward but did confirm that Northern Ireland is willing
to play its part in terms of taking in refugees. The Minister described the
situation as “horrendous”, commended the bravery and determination of refugees
in seeking safety for their families and believes that they do not seem the
type to seek refuge “and sit on their backsides when they get there.” Mr
McGuinness added that, “Work is already under way. Officials and junior
Ministers are involved in that work, and there is no doubt whatsoever that the
First Minister and I want to contribute and play our part in alleviating the
plight of those poor people.”
During
Question Time the deputy First Minister also answered questions on Programme
for Government delivery, the functions of the proposed Department for
Communities, child poverty and welfare reform.
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