While there has been a sigh of relief for some education providers in Fermanagh following the announcement of the u-turn on funding cuts to a range of early years programmes, not all local groups have had their funding reinstated.

One group who has not received the reinstatement of their funding is Newtownbutler Playgroup – Railway Kids who have had previously benefitted from the Pathway Fund.

The Pathway fund aims to improve the development of children who are at risk of not reaching their full potential within the school system, and can also be used to enhance the sustainability of the Early Years sector.

The Pathway fund had supported 24 children aged between two and three years old in the past six years in Newtownbutler.

Paula Drumm who works alongside playgroup leader Michelle McGrory discussed the devastating blow that this will have on the community in Newtownbutler including children and staff with this newspaper.

Having thought they had received a reprise on funding on Thursday, June 1 to find out later that day that they had not, was deeply disappointing for all of those connected to the group.

Paula said: “We thought we had good news on the Thursday and were told there was good news by Pathway and they’d be in touch with us and then on Thursday late, I got an email that said: ‘following on from the department’s budget announcement at this stage, we regret to inform you that whilst your application was deemed eligible, it did not score highly enough to receive the funding for the continuation of your project’ .”

Following discussions with the Pathway team, it was revealed that money for the funding of projects was distributed in rank order.

The mixed messaging was confusing for the team, Paula said: “It’s so disappointing. It was confusing as we thought we had it [funding] and had politicians ringing and texting us and telling us the announcement was coming and it was ‘good news’.”

Paula, Michelle and all the staff have seen the huge benefits of the Pathway programme for the children in this rural area of Fermanagh and are saddened now that it is likely it will disappear and will leave a vacuum for early intervention services in Newtownbuter.

Paula added “We are disappointed for the area, for the children and the possibilities for early intervention for the children and for the staff as well.”

“The MLA’s and local councillors have been very supportive, the MLAs have sent off a letter to the Department of Education and they are fighting our corner and are being very supportive of us.”

Audrey Rainey, Director of Services for Early Years, a non-profit organisation who administer the Pathway grant said: “The Department of Education’s budget announcement on June 1 in relation to the Pathway Fund, advised of a Pathway Fund budget at the level provided in 2022/23.

“However, the amount of funding required to provide an award to all eligible applicants this financial year (2023/24) is greater than in previous years.

“Unfortunately, this has meant some applicants to the Pathway Fund have not been successful in receiving an award for the remainder of this financial year.

“We wish to acknowledge the support from settings across the early years sector throughout the course of the campaign.”