A
NORTHSIDE community playgroup is pleading with the Office of Public Works (OPW)
to open a state-of-the-art crèche that has been lying idle since it was built
in 2008.
Bunratty
Community Playgroup, based in Coolock, was awarded the tender in November 2006
from the OPW to run the crèche.
Flood
damage had been caused to the building, located at the Northside Civic Centre
on Bunratty Road, but all repairs have now been completed.
Anne-Marie
Browne, manager of Bunratty Community Playgroup, said they were informed that
they would be able to move into the crèche in September.
“However,
we still haven’t received the licence,
? Ms Browne told Northside People.
Frustrating
“It has
been very frustrating for the parents, children and staff knowing that we were
awarded the tender for a custom built childcare centre and not being able to
use it.
“We have
to tell parents every day that we cannot move in until we are given the
licence.
?
As a
makeshift arrangement, Bunratty Community Playgroup has been providing a
service for families in the area from an existing room they have at the Coolock
Development Centre (CDC).
Understanding
“They
have been very understanding of our situation,
? stated Ms Browne.
“They
already have another tenant to move into our room but nothing can happen until
we move out.
“We have
lost two children to full-time services as they can provide longer hours and we
have to turn away younger children.
“At
present we can only provide childcare for children between the ages of two
years and four years plus.
“If we
were in the new centre we would be able to provide childcare for children
between the ages of four months and four years plus, and we can provide full
day care.
“There
is more demand in the Coolock area for childcare for the younger age group, six
months to three years.
?
Capacity
Ms
Browne said the building has a capacity for 40 full-time childcare places or 80
part time places depending on the parent’s individual childcare needs such as
morning, afternoon or full-day care.
“At full
capacity, the crèche will require 16 childcare staff with additional auxillary
staff,
? she stated.
Tirelessly
“We have
a voluntary board of management who have been working tirelessly to keep us
going and moving us forward.
?
When the
crèche eventually opens, it will receive funding from the Government through
the Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) and subvention schemes.
A
spokeswoman for the OPW confirmed that the creche was completed in 2008.
“However,
certain title difficulties arose in connection with the leasing of the premises
and it is hoped these will be overcome in the near future,
? she told Northside
People.
“The
flooding was caused by backup in drainage that resulted in a blockage and
remedial works were carried out to address this.
?
When
asked how much the crèche cost, the spokeswoman said it was not possible to
give the exact cost because it is part of an overall development.
Artane
Whitehall ward councillor Larry O’Toole (SF) described the situation as
“scandalous
?.
“The
crèche is a badly needed resource that would provide an essential service to
working class parents who need to be able to take up employment opportunities
in an area ravaged by unemployment,
? said Cllr O’Toole.
“A
campaign, led by local parents has to date not been successful.
“Local
parents have pointed out that the Civic Centre is the location of a Citizens’
Information Centre, radio station NEAR FM, Dublin City Council and FÃS.
“They
are adamant that the facility is urgently needed and are calling for its
opening at the earliest opportunity.
?
Cllr
O’Toole said he has written to the OPW to request immediate measures to solve
the problem.
“I will
continue to insist that the opening of the crèche be given urgent priority,
? he
added.
“That
this crèche has lain idle for years now is a shame, particularly in view of the
fact that this community is crying out for childminding facilities.”