Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Leas-Cheann Chomhairle for giving me the opportunity to raise this urgent issue, namely, the funding crisis at the Darndale-Belcamp integrated child care service in Darndale, Dublin 17. Last week I had the honour of being brought around this excellent service by Barbara Quinlan, who is a board member, and by Kelda Barnes, who is the centre's manager. I was immediately impressed by their top class service, their quality care, their professionalism and their commitment to 260 children from the local community.

It is important that the Minister hears this and that the Dáil knows about the valuable work taking place at the Darndale-Belcamp integrated child care service. This service was opened in January 2001, and initially the plan was for a maximum of 150 children aged from birth to 12 years of age, with playrooms, a kitchen, a dining area and sleeping rooms. Over the years, the centre has evolved into becoming the largest crèche in the country, and it now caters daily for 260 children, 90% of whom are from the immediate area of Darndale, Belcamp and Moatview. This is a recognised area of disadvantage and also includes a large Traveller community. One sixth of the children attending are Travellers and the centre employs one core staff member and eight community employment participants from the Traveller community. This is an area of severe deprivation. Addiction, unemployment, crime and, most recently, gun crime are part of their children's everyday lives. In 2011, 11 of the centre's children lost a parent to drugs or suicide. In 2012, a child in the centre's toddler room was held in his father's arms while his father was shot, and in 2013 the centre referred children to a social work team due to concerns about domestic violence and possible neglect or abuse. Forty of the children have direct links to the HSE social network, the public health nurse, the speech therapist, the CRC, St. Michael's House or to Temple Street hospital. Currently, 25 of the centre's children attend its project work for issues, including speech and language delay, attachment, domestic violence, learning disabilities and behaviour. This shows the valuable work that is going on in the centre.

The centre now has almost 100 staff members, with 45 core staff and the remainder being made of community employment, Tús participants, JobsPlus staff members, relief staff and volunteers. The centre no longer uses the HSE pay scale for the 45 core staff, as it is unable to afford the benchmarking payments and has introduced a 3% pay cut. The starting salary for core child care staff is €24,263, so there is no big deal in that. The centre has worked hard to improve the quality of the early years service it provides. It has achieved the Síolta award in 2013 and it is now participating in Aistear along with eight other centres in the area. This centre strives for quality and is a vital community support for the children and families. It feeds into the wonderful work done by the Preparing for Life team and the local DEIS schools.

The bottom line is that the centre needs €100,000 because it has run out of cash reserves, but it also needs an additional €200,000 per annum to stay open. I am talking about 260 children and €100,000 to keep this centre open. I urge the Minister of State to listen carefully to my submission and support this excellent centre.

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