Alliance asks Childrens' Secretary 'what are you playing at?'

11.40.00am GMT Wed 12th Dec 2007

Alliance Chief Whip Kieran McCarthy MLA

Alliance Chief Whip Kieran McCarthy MLA has hit out at UK Children's Secretary Ed Balls for failing to provide any cash for Northern Ireland in his £1billion Children's Plan. Mr McCarthy has asked why he has left Northern Ireland out of the plan which was unveiled yesterday. The cash will help create more play areas and promote education and welfare.

The Opposition MLA said: "He is the UK's Children's Secretary but has left Northern Ireland out of this £1 billion funding.

"What is the Children's Secretary playing at? We are in real need of a cash boost to give local children more play spaces and improve early years facilities.

"We have devolution now and decisions on such issues are in our hands; however, when England gets a windfall for young people, should Northern Ireland be ignored? I think not. I call on Ed Ball not to forget our local children who are equally deserving of such funding."

ENDS