Tears as kids’ créche closes

Eight staff jobs will also go to the wall when the New
Beginnings Crèche, located on the bottom floor of the Turvey Hall apartment
complex closes.

In 2006, the developers of the complex, Shelman
Properties, were granted temporary planning permission for the crèche.

The application was approved with the understanding
that a permanent crèche would be built by the developers to cater for the needs
of local residents.

However, since 2008 the crèche has been operating
without planning permission as a permanent crèche was never built.

Fiona O’Reilly, who has operated the crèche since it
opened, said parents and children would feel a massive loss due to the forced
closure which will take place on November 11.

Sudden

“The decision
to close us down was so sudden and now parents are struggling to make other
arrangements

? she told Northside People.

“The children are very upset as well,
but we are trying to prevent them from knowing more about it until the last
minute.

Heartbreaking

“It’s heartbreaking to say the least. Donabate is
extremely under resourced in terms of childcare facilities and this is just a
huge blow to the local community.

?

Ms O’Reilly said some parents had applied to other
local crèches but have been informed that there are no places left. She said
this means that parents will have to travel a lot further to find alternative
childminding facilities.

“We have been left in the dark,

? she added.

“The
crèche provided services to most families in the local area. Parents vowed to
fight this but there’s nothing we can do now. I’ll be unemployed as soon as it
is closed down and I don’t know what I’m going to do. Four of the eight staff
members have yet to find new jobs. It’s very worrying.

“Parents are extremely anxious and nervous to the
point of breaking down. Some of them were visibly upset and others are
considering quitting their jobs because they can’t bear the thought of their
children going to a different crèche.

?

Struggles

One angry parent, Ita White, whose daughter Saoirse
(1) has attended the crèche since it opened, has been forced to call on
relatives to look after her child as she struggles to find alternative
childcare options.

“The crèche provided the best childcare arrangement
for the children,

? she said.

“Now they will have to be separated from each
other even though they’ve
built up such good relationships. It’s very disruptive for them to be
relocated. Parents will have to travel a lot further now which will add to the
inconvenience.

?

A spokesperson for Fingal County Council said they did
not comment on individual planning application refusals.

However, according to the planning application refusal
letter issued by the council, the retention of the crèche was refused on
grounds such as noise pollution and property depreciation.

“Having regard to the location of the crèche facility
and its close proximity to nearby residential property, it is considered that
its retention would give rise to significant nuisance associated with noise and
car parking for adjoining occupants,

? the letter states.

“A grant of permission
in this case would therefore set an undesirable precedent and be contrary to
proper planning and sustainable development.

?

Northside People could not reach Shelman Properties
for comment.