Mary Butler (Waterford, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I heard the Deputy's exchange during Questions on Promised Legislation. I am familiar with the situation having seen it in the media. I thank the Deputy for raising this very important issue. As he stated, the Before 5 Family Centre at Churchfield in County Cork was so much more than a preschool and a crèche. It was after-school, play therapy and homework clubs and was very important to the parents of the many children who attended it. I am taking this issue on behalf of the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, so I hope I will be able to answer the questions Deputy Barry puts to me.

While it is noted the service in question has been cited in media reports, no financial or operational detail of any individual service will be disclosed in this reply. I know the Deputy did not ask for that. Northside Community Enterprise, which already manages an early learning and childcare service, is negotiating a lease agreement with the diocese to provide early learning and childcare in the building previously managed by the Before 5 Family Centre.

Northside Community Enterprise has issued a statement regarding its progress with this undertaking and has advised it is necessary to address maintenance issues and to improve fire safety requirements to fully meet all compliance obligations under building regulations, fire safety regulations and Tusla regulations before it can reopen as an early learning and childcare service. Both Cork city and county childcare committees and Pobal are working with Northside Community Enterprise and supporting it to navigate the administrative requirements and regulations in opening up a new service.

Regarding the closure, the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth is acutely aware of the difficulties this has posed for the families and children who attended the facility as well as the staff who work there. However, the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth does not own or operate early learning and childcare services. These services are privately operated. The decision to cease operations of the Before 5 Family Centre is a matter for the board of the service. It is not within the remit of the Department to discuss specific issues of individual service providers. Pobal and Cork City Childcare continue to work on behalf of the Department to support parents to find suitable alternative quality early learning and childcare for their children following this closure.

Deputy Barry asked about when we can expect to see the new service. As indicated previously, Northside Community Enterprise is in the process of completing its compliance obligations before opening. These compliance regulations are to ensure the safety, health and well-being of children and ensure quality of provision. When the different agencies with responsibility for these regulations are satisfied that the service is compliant, the service will open. Cork City Childcare is available to support the service to navigate these requirements.

I am not in a position to answer the question about AIM but I will follow it up for the Deputy. The Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, through the city and county childcare committees and Pobal, provides sustainable supports to all early learning and childcare services experiencing difficulties and through which sustainability funding may be granted should the need arise. This can include help for services with completing and interpreting analysis of staff ratios and cash flow as well as more specialised advice and support appropriate to individual circumstances. In some instances, financial supports through sustainability funding may be appropriate in tandem with this case management process.

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