Focus on rural childcare issues

Agriculture and Rural Development Minister Michelle Gildernew, MP MLA, has chaired the first meeting of a stakeholder group looking into rural childcare issues.

Speaking after the meeting held in Parliament Buildings the Minister said: "I know that the establishment of this group is the first step towards providing more accessible childcare for rural families."

The group will identify the main factors in rural areas that affect access to childcare and consider ways to improve this. The group will also produce a report detailing current difficulties in childcare provision in rural areas and make recommendations on how current and future provision can be improved.

The group consists of various organisations that have an interest or knowledge of childcare issues and is chaired by Siobhan Fitzpatrick from Northern Ireland Pre-school Play Association (NIPPA).

NOTES TO EDITORS:

1. Membership of the group includes representatives from the  Northern Ireland Rural Women's Network, the Rural Community Network, the South Armagh Rural Network, TADA Rural Network,  Rural Development Council, UFU (Ulster Farmers Union), Women in Agriculture,  NIPPA , NICMA (Northern Ireland Childminding Association),  Queen's University Belfast, University of Ulster and OFMDFM.
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