Michael Conaghan (Dublin South Central, Labour)

I thank the Ceann Comhairle for the opportunity to raise this important issue. I was very concerned to hear recently that the City of Dublin Vocational Education Committee is to close three crèches at the end of June, including one in Ballyfermot College of Further Education. The facilities in question play a most important role in ensuring access to education. They make high quality child care available to students who otherwise would not be in a position to attend college. The provision of child care makes access to education a reality for many young women and the City of Dublin VEC deserves particular credit for its work in establishing crèches. As a board member of the VEC from 1991 to 2010, I saw at first hand how it consistently adapted and improved to meet the needs of students. As the profile of students changed, so too did the services provided. The opening of the crèche in Ballyfermot college was a prime example of this.

The provision of child care services did not happen overnight but came about as a result of an extensive campaign by many hardworking individuals. Such facilities are a mark of the commitment of vocational education committees to their students and a desire to create opportunities in education. Students must remain the priority and we must strive to ensure the crèche service continues. If, despite the best efforts of all involved, the VEC cannot continue to provide the service, we must ensure an alternative is found. To this end, engagement is needed between various partners to ensure a solution can be reached. I have spoken to a number of people about this issue in recent days and I understand engagement may be under way. This service must continue and I urge the Minister to play his part, to engage in this process and to ensure suitable arrangements can be made.

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