Lyttle calls for long-term approach to afterschools funding

Alliance East Belfast MLA Chris Lyttle has welcomed news that Playzone afterschools project at the Ballymac Centre in the Lower Newtownards Road has been given a further three months of funding but called on the Executive and Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister to make urgent progress on a long term approach to this area of provision. It had been previously decided that this project would no longer be funded but that decision was changed today.

Chris Lyttle MLA said: “The Ballymac Playzone project meets the developmental and childcare needs of a number of local children and gives families access to employment opportunities they would otherwise not have.

“I am glad that OFMdFM has finally announced a further three months finance for the vital service but this piecemeal approach to afterschools funding in the area is unacceptable.

“The urgent target for the Executive and OFMdFM must be an integrated Childcare Strategy and a dedicated lead department to deliver proper resources for childcare provision in order to secure these vital services as soon as possible in areas which need them most.

ENDS