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Wednesday 25 November 2009

Jim Shannon, DUP MLA, tabled the motion that opened the debate on the proposed abolition of the tax relief on the childcare voucher scheme, which received cross party support: “That the Northern Ireland Assembly expresses its concern at the proposed axing of the childcare vouchers scheme; recognises that the loss of these vouchers could have a significant detrimental impact on working parents in Northern Ireland; supports the Employers For Childcare campaign; and calls on the Prime Minister to continue this scheme and to give consideration to the enhancement of Government support for working parents.”

Jim Shannon, DUP MLA, commenting on the motion, said, “The scheme benefits over 10,000 parents in Northern Ireland, if scrapped, it would have a detrimental impact on Northern Ireland PLC. Parents could potentially be forced out of work, haemorrhaging much needed skills in the workforce, so it was vital that this motion received complete support from all of the Northern Ireland Assembly members.”

Sue Ramsey, Sinn Fein MLA, said: “Now more than ever, we must protect our workforce. There has been a long term investment in education and skills made by both employer and employee.  The North of Ireland would be faced with an ever widening skills gap which we just cannot sustain. This is why we must endorse this campaign to ensure that it reaches a positive conclusion.”

Marie Marin, CEO Employers For Childcare, stated: “I am delighted with the outcome of today’s debate.  This endorsement makes me more confident that the ChildcareSOS campaign will have a positive outcome and I would like to thank everyone for their continued support.  I would urge our politicians to continue to exert pressure on Westminster to see this campaign through”.

Further information on The Labour Party’s proposals on the scheme are due to be announced as part of the pre-budget statement on 9 December. 

You can continue to register your opposition to the proposed reforms by e-mailing the petition address: childcareSOS@employersforchildcare.org

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