Pádraig O'Sullivan (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

The Minister may be familiar with the Before 5 childcare service in Churchfield in Corky city, which closed last August.

Its closure left a big hole in the context of the provision of childcare on the north side of Cork city. Alternative childcare had to be sourced for nearly 100 children just weeks before school started again in September. Thankfully, Northside Community Enterprises stepped into the breach and put together a business case for the reopening of the facility. To meet all the regulatory standards, fire regulations and so on, significant investment in the building will be required. The group in question reckons that €360,000 will be needed. It is engaging with the Department of youth and integration and is looking at building block grants, SEAI grants and various other grants for the regeneration of the north side of the city. Nonetheless, some support will be required. I ask the Minister to take the matter up with the Minister, Deputy O'Gorman. I also ask him to liaise with the group to which I refer in order to ensure that it can get the facility viable and open once again.

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