Debate rages on Cork family centre reopening delay

THE Before 5 Family Centre in Churchfield, which closed its doors last August, was the subject of a robust Dáil debate with a Cork TD saying progress on restoring the service was moving at “a snails’ pace”.

Cork North Central People Before Profit-Solidarity TD Mick Barry had asked Minister for Children Roderic O’Gorman for an update on attempts to source funding for the restoration of the facility.

Mr O’Gorman told him: “I’m well aware of the issues facing Northside Community Enterprises (NCE) and the funding that they require to support the reopening.”

He acknowledged was an undersupply of childcare in the area, and the NCE’S plan to reopen the facility with an extended offering are “really welcome”. Mr O’Gorman said he had met NCE in Cork a few weeks ago and clarified that the capital funding he had announced recently was designed for the expansion of existing services and did not apply to NCE.

“I was able to confirm to NCE that I and my department are looking to see what solution can be put in place in this particular situation. Work is ongoing between my department and Pobal in terms of a solution.” Mr O’Gorman said.

Mr Barry said that response was “a carbon copy” of what Mr O’Gorman had said in March, saying: “The community is crying out for the restoration of these services — this is moving at a snail’s pace.”

Mr O’Gorman said he “did not accept” the notion that progress was moving that slowly.

The NCE estimated that the months needed to bring the facility back into use once funding is pledged, means the chance has gone for the facility to reopen for September, Mr Barry said.

He suggested that Mr O’Gorman ask the parents in the area if they think it is happening at a snail’s pace or not, to settle the issue, before vowing to return to the issue before the Dáil summer recess.