The Ministry of Social Development says it did not reduce or cut funding to the committee that ran after-school and holiday programmes at the Enderley Community Centre.
Hamilton News reported last week that the after-school and holiday programmes, along with a breakfast club and walking school bus, closed at the end of February. Enderley Community Committee Inc outgoing chairperson Michele Paul told Hamilton News that funding the committee received had been reduced "by central Government mainly".
However, a statement from MSD's social development regional commissioner Te Rehia Papesch said OSCAR (Out of School Care and Recreation) funding was not cut or reduced by the Ministry.
"The Ministry of Social Development is committed to supporting OSCAR programmes offering a supervised learning environment where children can socialise, play, and enjoy a range of recreational activities. Since 2006, the Ministry has funded a range of OSCAR programmes at the Enderley Community Centre."
When asked if costs could have been better managed, Ms Paul disagreed. "It doesn't sound right in terms of what we have in front of us."