Hain announces £61m for children and young people

The Northern Ireland Secretary of State Peter Hain has announced that children and young people are to receive £61 million over the next two years to help them get the best start in life.

Speaking during a visit to the Girls’ Model School, Belfast, Mr Hain said: “This substantial investment in our children and young people will make a real difference, particularly for children living in disadvantaged areas.”

The Secretary of State said one of the major benefits of the fund would be the repositioning of schools as social hubs in communities across Northern Ireland.

He said: “Schools shouldn’t just be for pupils. With facilities such as computer rooms and sports fields they offer the prospect of so much more for their neighbourhoods.

“We need to extend their opening hours. I want to see schools offering themselves as the venue for an integrated package of education, health and care.”

The £61 million Children and Young People’s package will fund a wide range of services, including pre-school provision, therapy, support for children in care and child protection.

It includes £10 million a year to allow schools to provide services like breakfast and homework clubs and after-school music and arts clubs.

Mr Hain said : “The benefits of this funding package will extend well beyond the school gates. It will also provide counselling and youth services, enhanced services for children with special needs, youth workers and for very young children and their parents through Sure Start. The focus will be on learning, creativity and healthy lifestyles, including tackling obesity in children and young people.”

Targeted at marginalised and disadvantaged areas, the funding will go directly to schools and will be made available year on year.

(SP/GB)