Julatten parents will continue to make use of after-hours community care after the announcement of further funding from the State Government for the next 12 months.

Member for Cook, Jason O’Brien, says the State Government will cover the shortfall of funds until June 2012 so the Julatten Community Centre’s Limited Hours Care can continue to operate.

“Until June 2010, the State and Federal governments jointly funded Limited Hours Care services, but unfortunately these services were put at risk of closure when the Commonwealth withdrew its share of funding,” Mr O’Brien said.

“We recognise the important of these services to Queensland families, so we have been providing 100 per cent of funding, totalling $1.1 million per year, since that time.”

Mr O’Brien said discussions were continuing with the Federal Government on the reinstatement of funding, but the State Government would continue to make up the shortfall until June 2012 should this not occur.

Julatten’s Limited Hours Care programme caters for children aged 0-5, and educates and entertains children with a range of activities outside of school hours in a remote location where childcare options are limited.

Limited Hours Care services allow parents to attend appointments, take care of personal matters, study, undertake casual or part-time employment, or have temporary respite.

Cooktown’s limited hours care service was also included in the Government’s funding for 38 programmes in remote Queensland locations.

When asked why Port Douglas and Mossman were not beneficiaries of funding a spokesperson for Mr O'Brien said "As far as I know, Port Douglas State School offers after hours care, as does Mossman State and St Augustines in Mossman, to name a few. I think they all operate with different capacities, and Julatten's funding means they can now up their coordinator hours."