Minister urged to meet with potential new operators of former Before 5 centre on Cork's northside

CHILDREN’S Minister Roderic O’Gorman has been asked to meet with the potential new operators of the facility formerly known as the Before 5 Family Centre on the northside of the city in a bid to see it reopen.

The childcare facility on Churchfield Hill closed with immediate effect last August, citing reasons for the decision including “financial challenges, changes in regulations, operational challenges, and recruitment issues”.

Following this closure, Northside Community Enterprises (NCE) began exploring the possibility of resuming a childcare service at the location.

NCE’s vision, in a proposal submitted to several ministers earlier this year, is to provide “high-quality childcare for families in the area on a full day care basis as well as an adult disability service, play therapy, and adult education”.

It said it is willing to invest in the project “but cannot cover all the costs alone”.

“We are very much committed to this project, but we cannot achieve the goals we have for ourselves and the community without other investment from other sources,” it said.

Speaking to The Echo, Finance Minister Michael McGrath said he would like to see the facility reopen and that he has asked for Minister O’Gorman to meet with NCE.

“We’ve been working with Minister O’Gorman and his officials on that issue.

“I know that the building concerned was previously passed in the inspections that were carried out by Tusla and had successfully registered.

“I know the case has been made that additional public funding is required and investment is needed because it will be a new registration as such and it will be a new service being provided, so I’ve asked Minister O’Gorman to facilitate a meeting with his officials with the Northside Community Enterprises because it’s a project that is really important,” he said.

“We do support it.

“We want to see it happen and they have made an ask of capital funding for investment in the premises to make sure that it is fully fit for purpose and up to the modern standard and I will engage with them and through the local deputies and councillors who’ve been in touch with me on a regular basis, my Fianna Fáil colleagues, to ensure that that engagement happens and that we do all we can to secure the funding that they need to open that facility again.”