Tom Morrissey (Progressive Democrats)

I have raised this matter because of the crisis in child care and the need for emergency funding in the Ballyfermot area of Dublin. It involves a child care facility that was only opened two or three years ago, which caters for approximately 45 children every day. It has been primarily funded through grant aid and facilitated by statutory and local community bodies. A crisis has now emerged in that the 25 staff of the facility can no longer be paid because an application for funding to the Department that has been in the system since last November has not been granted. I understand it has not even gone through stage one of the process, despite several submissions of additional information.

The banks are unwilling to continue funding this child care facility unless there is at least grant approval from the Department. If this does not happen, we will have a crisis in this area. Considering that it was only established three years ago, it is imperative to assist this facility in whatever way we can. I hope the Minister can give some concrete information to the group, who are concerned that the facility's closure is imminent. It may be forced to close the day after tomorrow.