Funding Boost For Ballymena Childcare Projects

4 September 2006
FUNDING BOOST FOR BALLYMENA CHILDCARE PROJECTS
Social Development Minister David Hanson today announced a Ł147,231 funding boost for two childcare projects in the Ballee area of Ballymena.
Ballee Childcare Limited will receive Ł116,731.20 of the funding, which is being provided from the Department for Social Development's (DSD) Neighbourhood Renewal Fund. The money will contribute to the costs of a new childcare facility, which will serve the Ballee and Harryville areas. Ballymena Borough Council and the Big Lottery Fund are also supporting this project.
Ł30,500 of the funding has been allocated to assist with the day to day running costs of Ballee After Schools Club.
Minister Hanson said: "Children and young people are key to building the strong, confident and successful communities of the future. It is important that we provide them with the best possible start in life to enable them to play a full role in the future of their neighbourhoods.
"When I launched the Renewing Communities Action Plan in April 2006, I promised that the Government would continue to work with communities such as Ballee, to address their needs. My announcement today shows that commitment in action.
"Both of the childcare projects were developed locally, with the support of the Ballymena Neighbourhood Renewal Partnership, and will be delivered by community groups in the area. I am pleased that my Department has been able to assist in this process."
NOTES TO EDITORS:
1. The planned Ballee Childcare Facility will provide a high quality building that will provide accommodation for a pre-school playgroup, the after-school club and the services of Ballymena South Surestart. The total cost of the project is estimated at Ł662,295. In addition to DSD funding of Ł116,731, Ballymena Borough Council is providing Ł223,138 and the Big Lottery Fund will provide Ł322,426. It is expected that the project will open in Autumn 2007.
2. Ballee After School Club operates currently operates from the Ballee Community Centre. The DSD funding of Ł30,500.48 has been provided to help meet the project's salaries and running costs for the year up to 31 August 2007. The club plans to move into the new childcare facility when it opens next year.
3. The Neighbourhood Renewal Strategy 'People and Place' was published in June 2003 to close the gap between the quality of life for people in the most deprived neighbourhoods and the rest of society.
4. The Neighbourhood Renewal Strategy has four interlinking strategic objectives:

Community Renewal - to develop confident communities that are able and committed to improving the quality of life in their areas.

Economic Renewal - to develop economic activity in the most deprived neighbourhoods and connect them to the wider urban economy.

Social Renewal - to improve social conditions for the people who live in the most deprived neighbourhoods through better co-ordinated public services and the creation of safer environments.

Physical Renewal - to help create attractive, safe and sustainable environments in the most deprived neighbourhoods.

5. For further information, contact the DSD Information Office on 028 9082 9496.

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