Appeals made to reverse crèche closure decision

LOCAL politicians have called on the board of management of Tallaght Hospital to reverse a decision to close the hospital’s crèche.

As reported in last week’s Southside People, there was shock and anger at what was described as the

“sudden

? announced closure of the Small World Crèche that has been operating for over 11 years at the hospital.

Parents claim that hospital management had

“out of the blue, and without consultation, discussion or agreement

? suddenly announced that the crèche would close on Friday, August 29.

There are 50 children currently using the crèche that has a staff of 12.

According to parents, over the last 11 years hundreds of families have benefited from the excellent care of the manager and her team.

“As working parents in Tallaght Hospital we rely on excellent quality childcare for our children to facilitate our work and provide us with peace of mind,

? one parent said.

“In this regard, one of the reasons to assist in this process is the provision of an on site crèche to allow parents to work on campus, yet have close proximity to our children.

?

Following a meeting with parents, Brid Smith of People Before Profit called on Minister of State Brain Hayes to intervene.

“I was invited to a meeting with the parents of the Small World Crèche in Tallaght Hospital,

? Ms Smith said.

“The parents I met are nurses, radio- graphers, physiotherapists and admin staff who all do vital work in the hospital.

“They are all worried sick about the future.

“The crèche provided an essential service. It opened at 7am, allowing staff starting an early shift to drop their children off.

“It was also convenient for women who were breast-feeding as they could drop over during lunchtime and feed their children.

“It will be impossible for parents to find another crèche that can offer this.

?

Ms Smith added:

“Parents are paying $900 per month, which is the equivalent of a second mortgage, but they were very happy with the high standard of care that their children received.

“The parents feel that the hospital is using impending new regulations as a reason to close the crèche and creating problems where none exist. Even if the crèche did fall short of the new requirements from Tulsa (the child and family support agency), they will have six to 12 months to address this.

“The closure of this crèche is an anti-woman, anti-family measure being imposed on healthcare workers who already work in a high stress environment due to the chronic underfunding of the health service.

“I am calling on Minister Brian Hayes to immediately intervene and stop management from closing this essential crèche.

?

Sinn Féin TD Seán Crowe also expressed his dismay and shock at what he described as a

“short-sighted decision

? and called for a U-turn on the proposed closure.

“The hospital acts as a community environment and we should make every effort to facilitate as many people from diverse backgrounds to work in that community as possible,

? Deputy Crowe said.

“This decision fails to acknowledge the positive work carried out within the crèche over the last 11 years. It will make life really difficult, if not impossible, for working parents in the hospital currently availing of the crèche for their young children.

“The reality is that there just isn’t 50 crèche places available in Tallaght,

? Deputy Crowe added.

“The parents have now only three months to source an alternative crèche for their children following this closure ultimatum. If this harsh decision goes ahead it will mean 50 young people will be left without childcare.

“I am appealing to the Chief Executive Officer and his board to reverse this decision and continue to provide enabling facilities to young families affected by this announcement so they can continue to work in their employment in the hospital.

?

Minister Brian Hayes was unavailable for comment at time of going to press.

A spokesperson for the board of management at Tallaght Hospital said they had continued to engage regularly with crèche staff, customers and their representatives since staff were informed on Wednesday last (May 14) of the operational, financial and environmental factors influencing

“this unfor­­- tunate loss of jobs

?.

“The hospital has endeavored to provide appropriate channels of communication and support to staff and customers throughout this period,

? the spokesperson said.

“This includes engagement with the company specialising in early childcare services that has been tasked with assisting staff in accessing new employment opportunities and assisting customers in availing of alternative childcare facilities locally.

“The hospital will continue to engage in this manner over the remaining months of the operation of the crèche.

?