This story was first published on August 19^th, 2004.

Miriam O'Callaghan, the presenter of RTE Current Affairs Programme Primetime, launched the Dublin North-West Childcare Resource Centre at Ballymun Partnership on Friday the 23^rd. Miriam, the well known RTE presenter and celebrity Mom, has generously given of her time to launch this new Centre at Ballymun Partnership. One hundred and forty eight adults and children attended the launch. Miriam spoke of the challenges faced by all parents and importance of encouraging children to value education.

Lots of face painting went on at the opening of the Centre.

The resource centre aims to provide information on everything from childcare centres, childhood development, health and immunisation, childminding and grants to establish crches, to careers in childcare. The Centre serves Ballymun, Whitehall, Finglas, Glasnevin North and Santry.

It is a useful resource for parents, childminders in the home, employers, childcare workers, crche owners and managers.

The centre is managed by Ballymun Partnership the Government funded Local Development Company for Ballymun under contract from Dublin City Childcare Committee.

Miriam with staff members from the Centre.	Miriam with Declan Dunne, CEO, Ballymun Partnership.

"Social regeneration is just as important as the physical regeneration Ballymun is undergoing. Childhood development and education are the keys to happy and successful families in Ballymun" said Declan Dunne C.E.O. of Ballymun Partnership in his address. [Read full text of address]

The launch was celebrated with a ribbon cutting ceremony and an address by Miriam O'Callaghan and Nuala Nic Giobuin the Co-Ordinator of Dublin City Childcare Committee. Face painting, balloons and fun, marked the occasion for children and refreshments were provided.

The Centre is at the heart of the effort to support children and young people in Ballymun. It follows the work of the Ballymun Childcare Task Force report and the findings of the Ballymun Partnerships Education Strategy, which identifies early education and childhood development as central to key to happy and successful families.

Councillors Julia Carmichael and Ray Corcoran with Oliver McGlinchey.	Miriam & Seamus Kelly Editor of the Ballymun Concrete News.

Comments from parents

Edel Gaffney, Local Parent:

What does childcare in Ballymun mean to you?

"Childcare is a major issue. I can't get my child in (to a crche) because the waiting list is too long. There are only two crches in Ballymun that take babies. The cost is another thing - it's pretty dear. There's a big demand for more crches for Ballymun people."

Hazel Walsh, local parent:

"I don't think there are enough playgroups. I found it very hard with my eldest to find a preschool place and eventually had to go outside the area to find a preschool."

"I can't let my children out to play. All we have is muck with the building going on; it's not safe for children. I bring my 5yr old to a friend's new house and let her play in the garden."

Children were also entertained by a clown at the opening of the centre.	Miriam was presented with a picture by the artist.

Comments from workers in the childcare sector

Lisa Walsh, Co-ordinator, Dublin North West Childcare Resource Centre:

"We in the Dublin North West Childcare Resource Centre place great value on childhood and the issues that present a challenge for parents and childcare workers. We believe that our centre will be of great value to the communities in this region. We will provide information on childcare for parents/guardians, childcare providers and workers as well as childminders. In fact, anyone with a child-related query".

Breda Kenny, Childcare Co-ordinator, Finglas/Cabra Partnership:

"There is a new € 3million childcare centre in Finglas where presently 25% of the children are from new communities with new challenges that we welcome".

Nirn Coghlan, Childcare Co-ordinator, Ballymun Partnership:

"Today's launch gives recognition to all the work and effort the Ballymun Partnership has put into developing and increasing affordable quality childcare services in Ballymun."

For More Information contact: Lisa Walsh Manager Northwest Childcare Resource Centre Ballymun Town Centre Dublin 11 01 582 39522 (office) 087 6230196 (mobile) or e-mail lisawalsh@ballymun.org.