News

The Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food and Cavan/Monaghan, T.D. Mr. Brendan Smith, T.D., has performed the official opening of a major new community childcare facility in Ballyjamesduff.

The new community crèche, which was built at a cost of €1.2 million, was funded by the Government under the National Childcare Investment Programme (NCIP). It caters for 70 children, providing Montessori, pre-school and school age childcare services to young families in Ballyjamesduff and the surrounding area.

Minister Smith said that having turned the sod for the new facility last March, he was privileged to have retuned for the opening of the building: “As the former Minister for Children who approved the funding for this ambitious project in January 2008, it gives me a great deal of personal satisfaction to see this marvellous state of the art childcare facility, being used by the young families of this community. Indeed, given the proximity of the two local schools, what we have here is a unique and integrated campus catering for the care and education of local youngsters from babies to teenagers.

The fact that I was able to approve the maximum amount of funding available -€1.2 million- reflects the quality of the application submitted which involved the cooperation of a number of other groups and organisations with Ballyjamesduff Community Council. These include, Cavan County Council which made the site available to the committee for the development and Bishop O’Reilly on behalf of the Catholic Church, who provided the access necessary for the development to proceed.  I would like also to acknowledge the support and co-operation of the Boards of Management of both the local primary and secondary schools in facilitating the development”, the Minister said.

Minister Smith highlighted the great strides that have been made in recent years in providing new childcare places, with more than €17 million alone invested by the Government in County Cavan under the childcare support programmes. 

The Minister commended Delcross Construction and the Directors Mr. Jimmy Carroll and Mr. Andy Conaty for delivering the project within a very short timeframe. He also complimented Architects Gaffney and Cullivan for the excellence of their design. 

In conclusion, Minister Smith again thanked Mr. Pauric Smith, the committee and the entire community in Ballyjamesduff who have had the vision to plan the development of the facility.  “I am aware of the commitment of all those associated with this facility and I would like to compliment everyone associated with the development for their vision and determination in bringing this project to a successful conclusion.