Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Leas-Cheann Comhairle for selecting this important topical issue. It is an issue I have tried to raise on a number of occasions and one I raised by way of a parliamentary question to the Minister and in correspondence with her Department on a number of occasions. I was somewhat disappointed to realise that a deputation on this issue was met last week and Deputies who are helping to keep the Minister in her position were not informed about it or invited.

Recently, the Minister's Department was allocated additional resources for new family resource centres across Ireland. I understand 11 centres were selected nationally. It is unfortunate that a multi-agency application submitted by Attic Youth Cafe, Longford Community Resources Limited, LCRL, Longford County Council, Longford County Childcare, Barnardos and Longford Women's Link was refused. I understand they put forward a comprehensive application to the Minister's Department. I believe it scored very well and passed all the procedures and process within Tusla. I am told that the only reason it was refused is because there were not enough additional resources to meet their application. That is somewhat surprising given that this application serves an area of high deprivation. The only marginally worse part of the country is part of Donegal and Limerick city. I believe this particular area would benefit greatly from a family resource centre. How were the 11 chosen ahead of this application chosen? The Minister might update me on that. I would appreciate it also if the Minister could give an undertaking that this application would be considered favourably in the next round of funding.

When the Minister met the delegation from Longford last week they highlighted, in the absence of a family resource centre being made available for the urban town of Longford, that at a very minimum what needs to be addressed is the chronic need for a childcare facility for an area servicing MacEoin Park. MacEoin Park is a very disadvantaged area. The income threshold of the 130 houses is approximately €28,000 annually. The lone parent ratio is 59.3%, 51.8% have only a primary education and 78.2% are living in local accommodation. Until 2016, there was a childcare facility servicing this area but that is no longer the case.

It must be acknowledged that Longford County Council has done extraordinary work supported by funding from the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government in the past two years. It has entered into a regeneration project in this area. I believe it has brought approximately 18 houses back into play and it has given the general area a face lift. However, now that we have more people living in the area we need the services in that area to support the people living in it. What is more important than a service for early childhood education? We know the early stage is critical from an intervention point of view. They are the most formative years in a child's life.

I understand the Minister gave a commitment last week to review this issue. I welcome that and fully support it. As previous commitments have been given regarding MacEoin Park I ask her to be honest with this application, give it due consideration and, hopefully, she will be in a position to make the necessary funding available without any further delay.

See this speech in context