Government shuts the door on Ennis Creche

June 30th, 2008 - Pat Breen
“The Government has effectively closed the door on the Creche. My sympathies extend to the 16 staff and their families who now have to try and find alternative employment at a time when the economy is in recession. The children and their parents also face a period of uncertainty, it is not easy to find alternative childcare in such a short time frame and it can be very unsettling for the children who were very happy in the Creche.”

 

 

“The Minister is promising “a long-term viable future for the creche” and I will be keeping a watching brief to make sure that the Minister Lenihan lives up to his commitment to have a permanent operator in place on October 1st next.”

SEE PARLIAMENTARY QUESTION FOR INFORMATION.
To ask the Minister for Finance further to Parliamentary Question No. 125 of 18 June 2008, if he will renew the contract of the temporary operator at the Ennis Civil Service creche from 1 July 2008 until 1 October 2008 when a permanent operator will be in place; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

- Pat Breen.

* For WRITTEN answer on Tuesday, 24th June, 2008.

Ref No: 24834/08

REPLY 

Minister for Finance ( Mr Lenihan) :
 
 

The current position regarding the Ennis Civil Service Creche was set out in my reply to your Parliamentary Question on 18 June 2008.

Over the last 9 months to ensure compliance with HSE regulations and having consulted with the HSE Preschool services, the Board put in place a support structure of people with experience in creche management who were made available to management in Ennis creche three days per week.These support services at the creche come to an end on 30 June 2008 and it is not possible to extend them. Without these, it is not possible to continue the temporary management arrangements. I am advised by the Board of the Civil Service Childcare Initiative that active negotiations are underway to ensure that from 1 October 2008, a permanent operator will be in place for a five year period, offering a long term viable future for the creche.

 

 

 

 

Fine Gael’s Deputy Spokesperson on Foreign Affairs and Clare T.D. Pat Breen has voiced his annoyance at the failure of the Minister for Finance Brian Lenihan T.D. to review the temporary closure of the Civil Service Creche in Ennis.