News Archive 16th June 2009

RURAL CHILDCARE PROGRAMME LAUNCHED BY DARD

The Department of Agriculture and Rural Development has launched £1.5million Rural Childcare Programme which aims to improve childcare provision in rural areas.
Rural Childcare was identified as a key priority in DARD’s rural Anti-Poverty and Social Inclusion Framework. The programme aims to provide local solutions to challenges faced by rural communities in relation to the delivery of and access to rural childcare services.

A series of pilot or demonstration projects will be funded by DARD across Northern Ireland. These projects will then be evaluated and the evidence collected will act as the basis for the development of future policy and priorities in the area of rural childcare provision.

Applications to the Rural Childcare Programme will be restricted to pilot or demonstration projects run by community organisations or representative organisations that address the priority areas in a rural context.

The Rural Childcare Programme is administered from the Rural Development Division (RDD), 21 Hospital Road, Omagh, County Tyrone. Application packs are available from today and can be obtained by contacting RDD Omagh, Tel 028 8224 7727 or emailing rural.childcareprogramme@dardni.gov.uk. The deadline for receipt of completed applications is 5.00pm on 30 June 2009.The maximum available grant for private sector applicants is £50,000 at a rate of 50% eligible costs. The maximum grant for non departmental public bodies, councils, the social economic sector and community organisations is £250,000 at a rate of 75%.

While applications will not be accepted from the private sector, there may be opportunities for individuals and profit-taking organisations to receive support, other than financial assistance, from projects run by community based organisations and representative organisations. The private sector in the Craigavon, Armagh and Newry and Mourne Council areas can also apply to SOAR for support for childcare projects under the Rural Development Programme 2007-2013.

SOAR funding is available under six measures which aims to increase employment, attract visitors and increase the income of farming communities. The measures are outlined as follows:
Diversification into non agricultural activities
Business creation and development
Encouragement of tourism activities
Improve basic services for the rural economy and rural population
Village renewal and development
Conservation and upgrading of the rural heritage

The application process will be officially opened on 3rd August and will remain open to Monday 14th September at 4.00pm.