I rise to urgently highlight the recent news of the worrying closure of Newry Early Years Children and Family Centre at Orana House. The news has been a massive blow for many families in my Constituency, who have described the services as a lifeline for them and their children. The closure comes as a result of the current lease coming to an end. Unfortunately, to date, despite many months of effort, no alternative premises have been found, and that is having a hugely detrimental impact on the children and families concerned.

The Early Years centre has been at Orana House for many years, providing vital support to thousands of families — parents, carers and children — throughout that time. Support for children of preschool age is particularly critical for their learning and development and even more so for children with additional needs, who will benefit immensely from tailored support at the earliest possible stage. As many will know, support services for children and young people with additional needs are extremely stretched, so the further reduction in services will have a significant impact on many families. Parents have told me that Newry Early Years is the only place where their child can be themselves as they have amazing key workers who can meet their needs and provide the care and attention that they need to help them to grow and develop.

Families have been left feeling extremely anxious as a result of the news. It is essential that a solution is found urgently so that our children are not failed and get equal access to the support that they need that many others are getting across the North. I implore the Education and Health Ministers to work with Early Years and the Southern Trust to find suitable premises urgently and to find solutions for those children and families, not just in the here and now but for the future.