Mary Butler (Waterford, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank Deputy Doherty for raising this matter and giving me the opportunity to respond on behalf of the Minister, Deputy O'Gorman. When I read the script before coming to the House, I was struck by the fact that not long ago we had a similar discussion about Raphoe counselling services. Thankfully, they have been secured which is a positive outcome. I hope we can provide the same positive outcome for this.

The Department is aware of a service in Donegal with structural issues in its building due to mica and that the service has been told it will have to close in June this year. The Minister has asked Pobal and the Donegal county childcare committee to engage with the service's management board and investigate possible relocation options for the service. A temporary location is currently being reviewed for suitability and the Department has informed Pobal that if it becomes a feasible option for the service, relocation supports and other accommodations such as a four day, 41 week early childhood care and education, ECCE, scheme contract will be supported. Pobal and the Donegal county childcare committee are engaging with the service regarding their plans to communicate ongoing developments to parents and guardians. The Department will engage with Pobal regarding the service and assist with funding a relocation through the case management and sustainability process. Donegal county childcare committee is also working on finding suitable alternative places for children in attendance, to ensure that if the service cannot relocate, there is minimal disruption to their care.

It is important to emphasise that the safety of children and staff is paramount. Services that have had mica identified in their buildings are the subject of regular inspections by engineers and architects. No service will be able to operate if its premises is deemed unsafe, which everyone understands.

One of the Deputy's questions related to what the Department is doing to assist services affected by mica. The Department oversees sustainability funding for services should they need to relocate due to mica. Any service affected by mica should contact its local childcare committee in the first instance. The local childcare committee will assist the service in finding a suitable alternative location and will engage with Pobal and the Department regarding sustainability funding to facilitate the relocation of the service. The local childcare committee will source suitable alternative places for the children attending these services to ensure minimum disruption to their care, should a service be unable to relocate.

The Deputy mentioned that 45 children use the service. It is an important service that dates back to 1982. The building in which it is located dates back to 2000. The Minister, working with Pobal and Donegal County Council, wants to reassure parents and the childcare committees that a suitable location will be found. I have been informed that the local city and county childcare committees are engaging with parents to help to find suitable alternative care. Parents who are affected are encouraged to reach out to their local county childcare committee, details of which can be found on the website. That is all I have from the Minister.

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