I would like to call on the Department of Children, Equality, Disability Integration and Youth, to explore the possibility of purchasing F52 XD37 (formerly Dr. Fallon’s House), Elphin Street, Boyle, which is currently for sale.  It is in the middle of town, and an ideal location for the much needed Community Childcare Centre under the auspices of Boyle Family Life Center.

 There is no community childcare facility in Boyle, a town of 3000 people, the local childcare group are struggling to find a suitable location for this centre.

I would like to call on the Department of Children, Equality, Disability Integration and Youth, toexplore the possibility of purchasing F52 XD37 (formerly Dr. Fallon’s House), Elphin Street, Boyle, which is currently for sale. It is in the middle of town, and an ideal location for the much needed Community Childcare Centre under the auspices of Boyle Family Life Centre.

There is no community childcare facility in Boyle, a town of 3000 people, the local childcare

group are struggling to find a suitable location for this centre.

The Meetings Administrator read the following reply:

This Motion requires a Resolution of the Council.

Moving the motion Cllr. Moylan discussed the ongoing issue of no community childcare facility in Boyle and the frequency of which it was raised while canvassing last year. He advised that there is a two year waiting list for childcare in the area which is putting huge strain on parents and often prevents them from engaging in full time employment. He stated that there is a childcare committee in place to try and rectify the issue and the main problem is finding a suitable building. He mentioned that several attempts have been made to purchase buildings in the past, but none were successful. Cllr. Moylan emphasised that if the Department of Children, Equality, Disability Integration and Youth were to purchase this building, which is very suitable for these services, it could provide up to 50 places for preschool children under the Early Childhood Care and Education scheme for 52 weeks of the year, including after school services. The national benchmark for childcare spaces is 20 spaces per 75 households however Boyle is currently operating at 20 spaces per 1,043 households which is hugely unacceptable.

Members made the following points in support of the motion:

·         The issue of a lack of childcare is prevalent across the county and was the most frequently raised topic while canvassing.

·         The link between childcare and enabling parents to engage with employment is vital.

·         If the Department do not engage with purchasing this building, then the Council should look at providing any council owned building for this purpose.

·         Boyle is too huge an area not to have a community childcare facility and everything should be done to find a solution to this issue.

·         Acknowledgement for the committee in Boyle for their work on this issue.

·         A community childcare facility would have a great impact on the overall community spirit in Boyle.

The Cathaoirleach supported the motion.

Cllr. Moylan thanked the members for their support, and added his positive personal experience of these community childcare facilities in Tulsk and Four Mile House. He also indicated he will discuss the issue with his colleagues in the Oireachtas.

On the PROPOSAL of Cllr. Moylan

            SECONDED by Cllr. Frain

It was AGREED to call on the Department of Children, Equality, Disability Integration and Youth, toexplore the possibility of purchasing F52 XD37 (formerly Dr. Fallon’s House), Elphin Street, Boyle,which is currently for sale for the purposes of providing a much needed Community Childcare Centre under the auspices of Boyle Family Life Centre.