NI 'must get after-school money'

PlayBoard in Northern Ireland runs about 200 out-of-school clubs (there are 237 voluntary schemes at present) which are under threat of closure because of a lack of funding. European and lottery money has almost run out and the UK government has not earmarked any specific funding says a BBC report.

Playboard (with 24 full time staff) said NI's voluntary out-of-school sector was now "in real danger of being virtually wiped out".

"It is a cruel irony that Ruth Kelly is announcing expansion of such provision in England, while almost all voluntary out of school clubs here are struggling to survive," said chief executive Marguerite Hunter Blair.
"We urgently need some of that cash."

The government says ( for the 2nd time) it is putting £680m into encouraging more schools in England to set up breakfast and after-school clubs. Closure would mean "parents losing jobs, especially those on low incomes", says Mrs Hunter Blair Chief Executive of Playboard.
"Northern Ireland has the highest rate of child poverty in the UK. Our after school clubs are helping to tackle that problem - so why is the government forcing so many clubs in Northern Ireland to close"?

She also said in the 2004 Playboard Annual report …” I was delighted to attend a reception at 10 Downing Street in September to celebrate Childcare, at the Prime Minister and Cherie Blair’s invitation. This provided me with a wonderful opportunity to lobby at the highest level about the importance of Play and PlayCare in Northern Ireland. Very useful contacts were made with senior Policy Advisors from the Prime Minister’s Policy Unit in Downing Street, who have been very supportive.

SDLP education spokesman Dominic Bradley said the Treasury had plenty of resources to put into education in England while education in Northern Ireland was "being starved of resources".

Northern Ireland education minister, Angela Smith, who is already under intense pressure to find more money for cash-strapped schools - is expected to respond that her cupboard is bare says the Guradian today.

If you want to see the complete Government policy announced by Ruth Kelly (see BBC pic) it can be found here Extended schools prospectus .pdf (462KB)

These are the people who promised you "joined up" Government.