Minister Ritchie commits £1.5million to rescue childcare places

Minister for Social Development, Margaret Ritchie today announced her decision to extend funding for over two thousand weekly childcare places across the North.

The Minister’s announcement of a rescue package of over £1.5million will ensure the provision of over 2,000 childcare places in some of Northern Ireland’s most deprived areas.

Speaking during her visit to Magherafelt Women’s Centre, the Minister said: “Twelve months ago I intervened to save childcare services that were at risk of closure. Today, I have decided to extend that support for a further twelve months to again protect those services. I am committed to tackling disadvantage and building strong, vibrant communities to ensure a better life for our future generations. As a result of my announcement, over two thousand childcare places will be protected in disadvantaged communities across Northern Ireland.

"My announcement to provide a further £1.55million is at a time when my Department is facing acute financial pressures. I am doing so because I believe the provision of adequate childcare is a key factor in tacking poverty, in promoting economic development and in building strong and successful communities. Current provision is inconsistent and complicated and much of it operates at risk of closure.

"My Department however, cannot protect all childcare projects, so I will focus on projects that we currently support. I therefore welcome and support the work that is being done by the Ministerial Sub-Committee on Children and Young People to bring coherence to childcare provision. We urgently need a strategy for childcare and I will be working with my Executive colleagues to resolve this matter as quickly as possible."

Welcoming the announcement Margaret Ward of the Women's Centres Regional Partnership said: “I congratulate the Minister and her officials for the strong support they continue to demonstrate towards vulnerable women and children. This funding will be put to good use in protecting childcare provision for a further twelve months. We would ask the Executive to agree a coherent approach to childcare and we urge all Ministers to resolve this as a matter of urgency.”

Notes to Editors:

1. The funding package will help secure provision in 13 women’s centres. These are: - Atlas Women’s Centre, Ballybeen Women’s Centre, Chrysalis Women’s Centre, Falls Women’s Centre, First Steps Women’s Group, Footprint’s Women’s Centre, Greenway Women’s Centre, Magherafelt Women’s Group, Shankill Women’s Centre, Strathfoyle Women’s Activity Group, The Women’s Centre Derry, Waterside Women’s Centre, Windsor Women’s Centre.
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