North West Childcare providers plead with Minister for action over Core Funding

Childcare providers in Sligo, Leitrim and Donegal are pleading with the Children's Minister to consider an alternative plan for them to access Core Funding. It's a funding stream designed to help cover the costs of running an Early Years or School Aged Care Service but the terms and conditions are said to be making it impossible to obtain. A large number of local providers have already joined forces and are warning that the current format will lead to mass closures across the region. They previously penned a letter to Minister Roderic O'Gorman's Office outlining their concerns - he has yet to reply. Claire Devine from St. Molaise Preschool and Afterschool in Grange and John Davey from Ballintogher playschool says time is running out: