This week the Impartial Reporter reveals the news that Early Years funding targeted towards some of Fermanagh and South Tyrone’s most needy areas is to be slashed by over £35,000 in September.

In all the fund is being cut by £2m, 80 per cent of its total budget in Northern Ireland.

Yes, 80 per cent.

Does that seem reasonable, equitable or fair?

Moreover, it is the latest in a long line of cuts to vital services in Fermanagh and the disappointing and recurring theme is that the cuts across the board are hitting the most vulnerable in our community.

It really is becoming a case of death by a thousand cuts.

Everybody recognises the need to balance the books and have some financial stability in our economy but why is it the most needy in our community and in our society that face the greatest hardship? A quick recap of stories to feature recently in this paper includes the cuts for our disability sports stars, the Fermanagh Community Transport service which helps our elderly and isolated and the Creamery House in Kesh faces closure, a home to those with special needs.

A legitimate question is why are these the areas being targeted?

The Early Years Fund is provided by the Department of Education and is administered by Early Years to the top 20 disadvantaged wards across Northern Ireland.

One pre-school child care centre in Fermanagh says it will have to look at reducing hours while a local councillor warns that the overall impact of the cuts will be severe in the addressing of the mental health needs of the community.

These are people that work in these areas that are expressing these real concerns but their voices are not being heard nor listened to.

The child care centre did gather up a petition but they believe that the decision has been made and they are seriously concerned for the long term future of their centre.

It begs another question; where will all this stop?

Answers please elected representatives.

This week the Impartial Reporter reveals the news that Early Years funding targeted towards some of Fermanagh and South Tyrone’s most needy areas is to be slashed by over £35,000 in September.

In all the fund is being cut by £2m, 80 per cent of its total budget in Northern Ireland.

Yes, 80 per cent.

Does that seem reasonable, equitable or fair?

Moreover, it is the latest in a long line of cuts to vital services in Fermanagh and the disappointing and recurring theme is that the cuts across the board are hitting the most vulnerable in our community.

It really is becoming a case of death by a thousand cuts.

Everybody recognises the need to balance the books and have some financial stability in our economy but why is it the most needy in our community and in our society that face the greatest hardship? A quick recap of stories to feature recently in this paper includes the cuts for our disability sports stars, the Fermanagh Community Transport service which helps our elderly and isolated and the Creamery House in Kesh faces closure, a home to those with special needs.

A legitimate question is why are these the areas being targeted?

The Early Years Fund is provided by the Department of Education and is administered by Early Years to the top 20 disadvantaged wards across Northern Ireland.

One pre-school child care centre in Fermanagh says it will have to look at reducing hours while a local councillor warns that the overall impact of the cuts will be severe in the addressing of the mental health needs of the community.

These are people that work in these areas that are expressing these real concerns but their voices are not being heard nor listened to.

The child care centre did gather up a petition but they believe that the decision has been made and they are seriously concerned for the long term future of their centre.

It begs another question; where will all this stop?

Answers please elected representatives.