To ask the Minister of Education (i) for his assessment of the effectiveness of providing the Northern Ireland Childcare Subsidy payments in arrears; and (ii) whether there have been delays in providing these payments.

The Early Years Organisation (EYO), as the delivery agent for the Northern Ireland Childcare Subsidy Scheme, has advised that providers can claim the subsidy from them to coincide with their normal billing schedule to ensure they receive it at the same time as the parental contribution. Approximately 75% of providers invoice parents in advance and 25% invoice in arrears.

EYO has also confirmed that there have been no delays in processing payments. The vast majority have been made within 10 working days of receipt of the claim, except in cases where issues required further investigation.