The centrally funded Children and Young People’s package supported a wide range of projects distributed through the DHSSPS involving the work of a number of departments, but central funding ended in March this year.
The Minister said: “A great deal of good work has been carried out by groups through the Children’s Fund. However, it was always known that this funding would run out which is why I decided to support those existing Children’s Fund projects, whose activities clearly fall within my area of responsibility, for a further year.
“The funding will enable almost 60 projects to continue for a further year and during this time I will carry out an evaluation of what is being achieved to decide which projects might be supported on a permanent basis.
“In addition, I have agreed to allocate resources for a further year on behalf of OFMDFM to fund a further 32 Children Fund’s projects which are multidisciplinary and cross-cutting in nature.
“This leaves 54 after schools projects unfunded from the end of June. While I do not consider that these projects come under my area of responsibility, I am not prepared to see them abandoned as they play a valuable role in helping to support children and their families. I have therefore decided that I will fund these projects until the end of this year. I understand that discussions will be on-going in relation to where departmental responsibility for childcare and these projects lie.
“This arrangement will give the afterschool projects time to plan for their future.”
Notes to Editors:
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