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Hello everyone, My name is Declan Dunne and I'm the CEO of the Ballymun Partnership.
Minister Noel Ahern, Roisin Shortall TD, Andrew Montique Deputy Lord Mayor, Councillors Julia Carmichael & Ray Corcoran.
I'd like to welcome you all here today and to say how encouraging and positive it is to see so many people here. It's especially good to see so many children today as that is really what it's all about.
There are two reasons why we are here today.
- Firstly, we are here, of course, to launch the Childcare Resource Centre and we are particularly grateful to have Miriam O'Callaghan here today who has so generously given of her time to launch the service for us today
- Secondly, we are here to raise awareness of the service which is why we invited you all here today. And we hope you'll be able to tell others about the centre.
I'd like to tell you a little bit about the resource centre before I introduce our two speakers.
Background details
The Dublin Northwest Childcare Resource Centre is part of a wider focus on childcare by the Ballymun Partnership. This resource centre provides a service to the Dublin North West which includes not just Ballymun but also Finglas, Glasnevin North, Whitehall and Santry.
The Childcare Resource Centre is staffed by three local women who work on a part time basis: Lisa Walsh, Ann Doyle and Esther Byrne. They have spent the last six months developing this centre and aim to continue to do so to identify and meet your childcare needs.
Funders
The resource centre is funded by the Dublin City Childcare Committee which was established by the Department of Justice, Equality & Law Reform under the National Children's Strategy.
The DCCC was established to develop and implement a coordinated and strategic plan for Childcare Provision within Dublin City area for the period until 2006.
The DCCC is committed to developing structures that facilitate closer involvement at local level. Hence, the establishment of resource centres such as this one in Dublin. That is, resource centres that will support those seeking information on any aspect of childcare.
The Ballymun Partnership are honoured to have been give the contract to develop and manage this centre as we share a vision with the DCCC that local childcare information centres will be of great value to the communities in Dublin.
It is our intention that the resource centre will provide a professional and comprehensive service that will provide not only relevant information for those who need it, but will also reflect the gaps, strengths and weaknesses in childcare provision in this area to the relevant statutory bodies.
The Resource centre will provide information for Parents, Childcare Providers, Childminders, Employers and Childcare workers. In fact, anyone who has a childcare related query. For instance, the Resource Centre can assist you in applying for funding if you have an interest in becoming a childcare provider/s under the funding made available by the funding under the Equal Opportunities Childcare Programme. There is plenty of literature on the centre and the DCCC available inside today so feel free to help yourselves.
Wider Ballymun Childcare Strategy
We are standing in the middle of the single largest regeneration Project in Europe. But physical regeneration without real change in the lives of children and families will be an opportunity lost
This place is changing for the better. 86% of people in Ballymun have jobs and are contributing to society with their taxes and are looking forward to better health, childcare & education outcomes in Ballymun.
Families face many challenges here, with 2 out of 3 raising their families with average incomes below 350 euros per week, because of the jobs they do are often poorly paid.
So access to better education & jobs to provide well for their families and be financially independent is increasingly important
This is why the Partnerships priority is Education and increasing educational attainment
We are working the Principals and the DES ad exiting things are afoot. We firmly believe that Ballymun will become the model for increased educational performance fotr the whole country.
A ten Year Plan for Children & Young People is being developed who is most exciting
But lack of affordable childcare limits parents access to education and employment
Childhood development is the key to happy and successful families and children
How children feel about themselves & the important people in their lives is central to their development and the foundation for a happy and successful life.
In order to make a real difference
. . .we need you as parents, childcare workers, employers and home based childminders
. . .to use our centre and to let us know what the issues in childcare and childhood development in this area are for you.
The childcare resource centre staff aim to develop networks and collaborative initiatives which will enable us to reflect what is going on for you in childcare. For example, what changes are needed.
We are arranging workshops and seminars that you will be invited to and would like to hear what you would like us to prioritise to make a meaningful impact in childcare in our communities today.
So we really need you to be vocal and to participate in the childcare resource centre
Introduce Nuala & Miriam
Nuala Ni Giboon, the Co-ordinator of Dublin City Childcare, funders of the centre
Intro to Miriam
I'd like now to welcome Miriam O'Callaghan who as the presenter of the RTE TV Primetime programme needs little introduction
Thanks:
Miriam O'Calaghan
Presentation Luke Moore, 13 from Popintree, Local artist Aisling Childrens Project
DCCC especially Nuala Niibuun & Miriam McKeone
Local support & goodwill
Community Arts Forum (Stuart, Leone & Sarah)
AXIS community arts team (Ray Mark & Roisin)
The Shopping Centre Management
Art & Hobby Shop
Bizy lizzies
The Orchard Fruitstore
Partnership Board, Staff & committee members
In particular
Lisa, Ester & Ann the staff of the Childcare Resource Centre
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