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Smith turns the sod for new €1.2 million Ballyjamesduff childcare facility
The Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food and Cavan/Monaghan, T.D. Mr. Brendan Smith, T.D., has performed the official turning of the sod for a major new community childcare facility in Ballyjamesduff.
The new facility, which will cost €1.2 million, has been funded entirely by the Government under the National Childcare Investment Programme. When completed, it will cater for over 50 children and will be the first childcare facility of its kind in the Ballyjamesduff area.
Mr. Smith, who as the then Minister for Children secured the funding for the project, said that it was a privilege for him to turn the sod for the new building. “I’m thrilled to be back here in Ballyjamesduff once again to mark another milestone for the local community. Just a few weeks ago, I had the honour of sharing in the joy of the opening of the new €4 million St. Clare’s National School and now we mark the commencement of another major project within a stone’s throw of the new school. Indeed, once the new childcare facility is completed here, Ballyjamesduff will have a unique and integrated campus catering for the care and education of local youngsters from babies to teenagers, as the fine St. Clare’s College is also located here”, he said.
“This project received the maximum available Government funding which I was very pleased to support as Minister for Children. The fact that the maximum grant was awarded was a due recognition of the excellent case put forward by the Community Council. I would like to pay a particularly warm tribute to the members of the Ballyjamesduff Community Council and Chairman, Mr. Paraig Smith who have put in such hard work to bring this project from an aspiration to a reality”, the Minister added.
In conclusion, the Minister thanked Bishop Leo O’Reilly for his great support for the project and Cavan County Council for facilitating the provision of the site.
“The diggers will be getting to work here on Monday for what will hopefully be a trouble free construction project and I would like to wish Architects Gaffney and Cullivan and Builders Delcross Construction, every success with the important work ahead.
I very much look forward to joining you all once again here to celebrate the opening of what will be one of the most modern childcare facilities in this entire region”, Minister Smith concluded.
