I would like to thank Ms. Hilary Kenny for inviting me to open jointly, with my colleague Mrs. Bríd Rodgers MLA, Minister for Agriculture & Rural Development; the final Conference of the Cross-Border Rural Childcare Project.

As you are aware, The Cross-Border Rural Childcare project is part funded under the Community Economic Development Measure of the Northern Ireland/Ireland Interreg II Programme.

Interreg is a European Union Initiative. It is specifically designed to address and reverse the particular economic problems of border regions both internal and external. It was designed to redress the tendency for economic activity to move towards centres of large population with existing infrastructure and services.

The Interreg initiative aims to achieve its objective in two ways. Firstly by encouraging and supporting networks of cross border co-operation and contacts and secondly by providing financial assistance for a range of economic activities in the Interreg area which will counter the disadvantage of the relative isolation of the border areas.

Within the Regional Development Sub-Programme of the Interreg II Community Initiative, the Community Economic Development Measure regards community involvement as an important, worthwhile and essential contribution to the overall development of the region. This measure is designed to assist a wide range of actions in support of the socio-economic development.

One of its objectives is to support community-based initiatives, particularly cross-border ones, for the regeneration of the local economy. The Cross-Border Rural Childcare Project is a prime example of this involving in this case close co-operation between the two organisations, the Irish Pre-School Playgroups Association (IPPA) and the Northern Ireland Pre-School Playgroup Association (NIPPA).

Aware of the changing face of rural life and the effect that this is having on families and in particular young children, these organizations decided, back in 1995, to establish a Steering Group to consider an appropriate response to the changing needs of rural Ireland. This Group is a multi-agency partnership led by IPPA and NIPPA and includes representatives from health and education, statutory, and other voluntary organisations.

This project aims to identify the particular needs of children, from new born babies to 12 year old children, living in the six rural communities of Newtowncunningham, Co. Donegal, Donemanagh and Clogher, Co. Tyrone, Mohill, Co. Leitrim, Belleek Co. Fermanagh, and North East Monaghan. This project gave parents and local communities the opportunity to identify and plan their own childcare needs.

Since its official launch in April of 1997, sterling work has been undertaken by local Steering Groups in each of these areas in assessing what the local communities need and are likely to use in terms of childcare in each of these areas.

Extensive research has been undertaken and these groups have identified particular gaps and needs in their own local areas. The fruits of their work and that of the overall Steering Group will be reflected at this conference today when we hear about the outcomes of this project.

It is now widely recognised that quality play-based early care and education are vital elements in children’s lives. Children nurtured in this way mature into competent, capable adults who are self-reliant, going on to share their talents with the community in which they live, thus enriching our society. I believe that quality childcare can give children a headstart in life.

Quality Childcare is not just an issue for parents who wish to participate in training, work or education. Central to any developments is the requirement also to meet the fundamental needs of children. Research informs us that quality childcare provides social and development opportunities which lead to lifelong benefits for children in relation to their participation in society.

On taking office, our Government recognised the urgent need to develop quality childcare service provision and prioritised childcare as a central issue on the social agenda.

Our Government has provided £250 million under our National Development Plan to the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform Equal Opportunities Childcare Programme to support the development of childcare. This funding is being invested in capital and staffing grants for community groups and not-for-profit organizations for the establishment and development of community based childcare facilities and, capital grants from self-employed childcare service providers catering for no more than 20 children at any one time.

Budget 2001 provides further good news for the childcare sector. In recognition of the important role of childminders, £1.2million is being provided to the Health Boards to support the introduction of a voluntary notification and support system aimed at minders of three or fewer children. Supports will include information, establishment of networks and provision of advisory visits to childminders homes to assist them in developing best practice.

I am delighted to be able to tell you today that under the Childcare Service Delivery Initiative, the 35 City and County Enterprise Boards, for which I have responsibility have received an allocation of £1 million from the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform for employment grants to childcare employers in this year. Indeed it is worth mentioning that, since 1992, the Enterprise Boards have assisted just over 300 projects in the childcare sector to the value of £2million. It is expected that 600 full-time and 70 part-time jobs will be created from these projects.

Childcare is not just an issue for parents. It is also an issue for employers to consider. Many employers invest heavily in training employees and this investment cannot be ignored and should be protected. The availability of childcare facilities within the workplace can enable employers to retain those employees who might otherwise be lost to them due to family responsibilities. This, as studies have shown, can result in savings in employment costs for any employer who makes such provision and is also cost effective way to improve profitability.

We want to capitalise on the growth and strength of our economies in both the Republic and in Northern Ireland. Women comprise about one third of our workforce and this participation rate is increasing. However, this increase is dependent on affordable and accessible childcare services of an acceptable standard. The incentives which I have spoken about will contribute positively in this regard and will facilitate more women accessing work and training programmes.

I would like to thank the Cross Border Rural Childcare Project for inviting me to this Conference. I am grateful for the amount of effort put in by everyone involved in this model project.

Finally, I think that in all the current debate about childcare that it is important not to lose sight of the fact that the development of the children being cared for should be of paramount importance when developing a strategy for the supply of childcare provision. Our Government is committed to increasing the supply of childcare provision in this country while at the same time ensuring that the quality of that provision reaches the highest standards possible on this Island.