CYP Now - Analysis: Northern Ireland - Province plays a game of catch up

The Government is spending 61m, on top of existing funding, to improve children's services in Northern Ireland. Asha Goveas looks at how the money will be spent and the extent to which it will bring the province's services into line with the rest of the UK.

Children in Northern Ireland have traditionally had a rough deal onfunding compared to their peers on the mainland.

So, although last week's news of the 61m two-year fund forchildren and young people was greeted with delight, the pleasure wastempered with an understandable realism (Children Now, 8-14 March).

Lynda Wilson, director of Barnardo's Northern Ireland, says: "It beginsto equalise the policy, strategy and resourcing of children's servicesin line with the rest of the UK. It may not equalise them, but it'sstarting to and it gives a message to children, particularlydisadvantaged children, that they are high on the policy agenda."

The ringfenced money, first announced under the province's prioritiesand planning budget last December, is on top of existing core fundingand is targeted at children in disadvantaged areas.

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