The Ministry of Social Services and Community Development wishes to respond to the article "Pace of search of new children's home slammed" by Ricardo Wells, that appeared in the Tribune of April 16, 2015.

The Ministry strongly refutes the claims by unnamed sources in the article that the Department of Social Services is "dragging its feet" in the search for a new building and that the home remains "en route" while Ministry officials "take their own sweet time" in locating accommodations for the home.

On April 14, 2014, the residents of the Bilney Lane Children's Home had to be relocated due to plumbing problems. It was determined that given the age, structural and other issues of the home, that alternative accommodation should be found. Immediately and simultaneously Cabinet approval was sought and received for the relocation and the search began. The first possible accommodation was viewed on April 24, 2014. Since then, a total of fifteen (15) places have been viewed but regrettably for various reasons, none of these materialized. The residents continue to be temporarily housed in the same facility from April 14, 2014.

The Bahamas Conference of The Methodist Church, which manages the Home, has offered to spearhead an initiative for the construction of a new home, which is the preferred long-term solution.

In the meantime however, efforts are continuing to find alternative accommodation. The Ministry hereby makes an appeal to the public for assistance in locating suitable accommodation for the children.