Robert Troy
Ceist:68. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the status of the reinstatement of a childcare facility at MacEoin Park, County Longford. [43268/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraTuesday, 22 October 2019
Ceisteanna (68)
Freagraí scríofa
In May 2019, my Department approved the terms of a procurement process for the provision of childcare services in MacEoin Park in Longford with a view to opening for the 2019/2020 programme year.
Longford County Childcare Committee, which is funded by my Department, oversaw the process. Unfortunately, no suitable application was received and therefore no tender for establishing a childcare facility at MacEoin Park was awarded.
As the Deputy is aware, my Department does not directly provide early learning and care or school age childcare services - rather we administer a number of schemes and initiatives to support accessible, affordable and high quality early learning and care and school age childcare services.
These schemes and their associated funding are available to registered providers which include childminders and private or not -for-profit services. Consequently, whilst my Department is clear about the need to re-establish a service in the area, its scope for direct action is limited.
My Department, Longford Childcare Committee and Pobal are committed to continuing to work with local organisations, including the Local Authority and Longford Community Resources Ltd, to explore further options to re-establish a service in this area of Longford.