Why wasn't Glanmire childcare plan considered for State scheme, asks TD
The unit just needed to be kitted out, which would take approximately two to three months.
A Cork TD has questioned why a Glanmire proposal for 150 childcare places was not selected for a new state scheme.
Earlier this year, Minister for Children, Disability and Equality, Norma Foley announced €135m in capital investment in buildings for high-quality, accessible State-led early learning and childcare.
Capital funding will be used to acquire and fit out the buildings for the State-led initiative which is set to provide thousands of places.
No Cork projects have been selected for the first phase of the scheme – the seven proposed projects announced recently include two in Dublin, two in Wexford and one each in Roscommon, Kerry and Donegal.
Local Fianna Fáil TD Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Ms Foley the criteria applied in prioritising projects, and whether the premises proposed for a facility of up to 150 places in Glanmire, submitted by Cork City childcare committee, was assessed.
He also asked when the next phase of project selection will take place.
Mr O’Sullivan previously said that the proposal was made for a property owned by a private building owner who had full planning permission for up to 150 childcare places, and was willing to sell the unit or rent it to the state.
The unit just needed to be kitted out, which would take approximately two to three months.
He said at the time that there was a huge need for more places in Glanmire. “There are many people moving in from different areas and working in multinationals in nearby Little Island and the city.
“All we are going to see is more and more people going into the likes of Mayfield and further afield into the city and city centre to access childcare.
“There are many people either taking reduced working hours or trying to juggle by working from home.”
Ms Foley said: “The Department has received project proposals from a number of sources since the programme was launched.
“Some projects are proposed by an existing early learning and childcare service provider, while others relate to a building/property only and a separate process to identify an operator would be required.
“The Department is aware that this is not an exhaustive list of all projects that could form part of this programme of investment and will continue to seek potential projects for consideration.”
She said that a comprehensive model was used to select the most suitable proposals, including that all projects below 300 square metres were eliminated as they did not meet the required scale programme.
The programme also prioritised projects which could be delivered rapidly, such as purpose built childcare facilities that require fit out only.
The third element of the triaging process looked at the childcare places supply and demand mismatch in the area and the level of disadvantage and rurality.
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