Martin Conway (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The Minister, Deputy Reilly, is very welcome to the House. Part of his brief relates to significant health issues such as the elimination of tobacco smoking, and it is a good description of him to say he is a quasi-Minister for Health.
A child care and crèche facility in Milltown Malbay in County Clare is on the verge of closing. The Spraoi facility looks after up to 80 children and employs a number of staff on a permanent basis. The problem is that the facility is waiting for funding from the Department and for some reason there appears to be a logjam in terms of the funding being released by the Department. It would be all very well if the facility had cash reserves or a back-up plan, but unfortunately that is not the case. Since Christmas, staff have worked for the past two weeks free, gratisand for nothing in order to keep the facility open in the hope that the money will be forthcoming from the Department. I understand Spraoi received capital funding to carry out works on the facility, independently of the funding stream on which it is reliant in order to keep the doors open. It would be a great pity if the facility were to close due to timing because, realistically, those working there cannot continue to work without being paid. They might keep the facility going for another week but that will be it.
It is a wonderful facility. I have spoken to a number of parents who send their children there. I am aware of one parent who travels 25 miles to bring her child there because of the level of care and commitment shown by staff. I believe the issue is one of timing and that the matter can be resolved pretty quickly, but that would require the intervention of the Minister in order to expedite the payment. I await what I hope will be a positive reply from the Minister.