New facility can cater for 50 children in Bailieboro area

A magnificent new €1.14m Community Resource House and Childcare facility was officially opened jointly by the Minister for Agriculture Brendan Smith and Barnardos CEO Fergus Finlay last Friday morning. The new facility was provided by the government’s National Childcare Investment Programme and Cavan County Council through Peace funding, caters for 50 children and provides employment for 14 staff including the manager Ann Hanley. The blessing was performed by Rev Sam Anketel, Fr. Oliver O’Reilly, CC; and Rev Joyce Rankin. Anna Kennedy who was the first young person in the old Resource House, made presentations to Mr Finlay and Minister Smith, of Lesley McCabe’s Book The History of Bailieboro. Minister Smith said he was glad to have been in a position as minister for children to bring the grant application for the facility to a conclusion. He complimented the architect Pascal Reilly and the contractor Vinny McCabe, director of Threemore Properties, for delivering the project within a relatively short time frame. He warmly complimented all who have been involved in fulfilling the project and continue to support it, particularly Ann Hanley and Philip Fyfe, and the other members of the committee. Mr. Finlay said it was a great honour to be invited to the official opening of such a fine facility and it was a wonderful moment when Minister Smith pulled back the cover on the plaque outside to mark the occasion. He said the minister was exactly the right man to perform that task. “Not just because of his support in helping to fund this centre when he was minister for children, but also because he was one of the most effective ministers for children that the country has ever had. He targeted quality early on in his ministry and the provision of good community services.”Barnardos did a study last year to ascertain what the world will be like for tomorrow’s children - the children of the rest of this century. The study revealed that childcare professionally delivered and organised will be a feature of the life of every child in the future. “That is a really fundamental change in Ireland, and it is vitally important that if that change is to be important, that it will matter in a positive way to children,” said Mr. Finlay. He said everything had been designed in this new Bailieboro facility with the needs of children in mind. “This place is run on the basis of a standard, that I think can be summed up in the phrase, no care without development and no development without care.” The chairman of the committee Philip Fyfe said the objectives of a resource house include combating social exclusion and tackling the causes of unemployment and disadvantage, supporting young people at risk, tackling early school leaving and supporting lone parents and disadvantaged parents. He said it was a great day when Minister Smith, who was Minister for Children at the time, allocated the €1.2m for the new facility. The manager of the Resource House Ann Hanley said Friday was an amazing day, as she reflected on the humble beginnings in a dwelling house in Woodview 12 years ago. Ann said children deserve the best resources and staff and that are now available in Bailieboro. She thanked all the committees, past and present, for their Trojan work along the way. Anita Eakins sang a beautiful rendition of Amazing Grace, accompanied by Thomas Hanley. The committee includes Philip Fyfe, chairman; Winston Turner, Ann Hanley, manager; Cllr. Sean McKiernan, treasurer; Lyndsay Kennedy, and Mattie Cullen, secretary.