Plea for better childcare support for Cork city’s northside

Recent childcare closures on the northside of Cork city have led to suggestions that the State should be taking direct responsibility for early learning and childcare.

Speaking in the Dáil, Solidarity —People Before Profit Cork North Central TD Mick Barry highlighted a number of issues over the past year.

He reminded the Government that Northside Community Enterprises are waiting on a green light for funding of approximately €300,000 to renovate the Before 5 family centre in Churchfield.

“This early-learning, childcare, and community centre was closed suddenly in August 2023, with more than 100 children enrolled for the year ahead. Its loss has been an open wound on the northside of Cork city. This centre will not reopen for the current school year, but it must be ready for August-September 2025,” he said, adding that there could be up to four months’ renovation work needed, and appealing for the funding application to be processed quickly and approved.

Mr Barry said: “The New Horizons preschool at St Vincent’s campus on St Mary’s Road closed suddenly at the end of August. There were 38 children who lost their places. There ensued a mad scramble for places. Some found a place, others did not. It is not acceptable that parents, children, and staff have to undergo the trauma of these closures every August and September.

“Primary schools do not close down at the start of the school year, nor should early learning or childcare. The current for-profit model of childcare is broken”.

Calling for radical change, Mr Barry added: “In Ballincollig, which is about to come into the Cork North Central constituency, a service provider recently reported 400 families on its application lists. We need full State provision of childcare funded by progressive taxation on the rich, and childcare that is free for all children at the point of use.”