This time last year the Moneymore After School Club, which does incredible work on behalf of some of the area's children and their families, was in danger of closing due to changes in the system of funding.

Minister for Children, Green Party TD Roderic O’Gorman had changed the rules governing how organisations such as the After School Club are funded, which left many parents struggling to meet the requirements for funding for their children to take part.

Last year was a struggle  because the funding was only available to the children of working parents who were looking for childcare. This meant that many of the Moneymore children were excluded through no fault of their own.

Thankfully the system has now changed and Programme Manager Edel Fairclough told Drogheda Life today that, although the struggle for funding is a constant battle, at least now they can offer places to children aged 8 to 14 as long as their parents are eligible under the National Childcare Scheme which is no longer restricted to working parents.

“We're trying to promote this and help people with some of the difficulties they're having with applying for the scheme” Edel said.

"Moneymore After-school Club, 43 Moneymore Drogheda can now offer subsidised places to children aged 8 to 15 through the National Childcare Scheme.

“Parents/guardians must make the application by applying for an income-based assessment on www.ncs.gov.ie or scan the QR code below. This gives you access to a code called a CHICK that you can use to join at a subsidised price."

You can also contact Edel Fairclough at the Moneymore After-school Club, 43 Moneymore, Drogheda. Her email is moneymoreasc@gmail.com

The video below may also be of help:

Read our article from last year:

Moneymore After School Club in danger of closure due to funding cut