Katherine Zappone (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the Minister. I raise the very important matter of a decision by the management of Tallaght Hospital to close the hospital's crèche. This decision, if not reversed, will cause undue hardship to the staff who work in the hospital and who have provided a first class service to the local community. I call on the Minister to meet the hospital management and find a solution to this unacceptable situation which is causing significant stress for the parents who work there.

The Small World Crèche has been operating in the hospital for more than 11 years during which time it has provided a valuable service to hundreds of families of staff. It is an integral aspect of the hospital's necessary infrastructure because it allows working parents to access excellent quality child care and do their difficult jobs with the peace of mind that their children are being well provided and cared for. It is a model of best practice in that it provides an on-site crèche that allows hospital staff to work. We should encourage and promote this model of child care in other hospitals and workplaces rather than shut it down.

Out of the blue, without consultation, discussion or agreement the management of the hospital advised the crèche on Wednesday, 14 May 2014 of its intention to close the crèche on 29 August 2014. Although one reason given was the fact that new regulations are to come from Tusla for 2015, they have not even been published and will afford organisations at least six to 12 months to achieve compliance. A financial reason given was the fact that there was a short loss. Infrastructural reasons were also given, although the crèche occupies one of the best portacabins on the hospital site. A significant concern to parents is that ten children are due to commence their early childhood care and education, ECCE, year in the Small World crèche in 2014 and if it closes in August they will probably not find places in other settings in Tallaght. I urge the Minister to assist parents working in Tallaght Hospital to find a solution to the unacceptable situation.