There are not enough creche places in County Kildare

Measures need to be taken to address a shortage of childcare places across County Kildare.

Maynooth councillor Naoise Ó Cearúil said Kildare is one of the fastest growing counties and Maynooth is home to one of fastest growing populations within the county.

He said while the provision of childcares is the responsibility of the County Childcare Committee “We are responsible for planning and development in the county.”

He said there aren’t enough childcare places available and some of the facilities are “too big, too small or not fit for purpose.”

He said people are going to Dublin to source places and the Department of Education  should be involved in helping to find a solution as well as the CCC. He said KCC staff should meet with the CCC and councillors should be represented at a meeting with the department.

Labour councillor Angela Feeney said the issue was apparent in 2019 when the last council was elected and “it’s even worse now.”

She said in one case a creche has been lying vacant for three years and said that more community creches should be provided.

Independent councillor Pádraig McEvoy said a community creche should be opened as a pilot project and the CCC should be approached about how this could be piloted.

Cllr Tim Durkan (FG) said that KCC is granting permission for houses and apartments and developers then come into the council to try to get conditions for creches removed from the planning permission.

Cllr Evie Sammon said creches should be co-located with schools and she also said that family resources centres could be involved but County Kildare has the least number of these centres.

Cllr Nuala Killeen said there has been a big decline in the number of smaller creches and Cllr Noel Heavey said some operators have gone out of business “because of the demands of reportage.”

KCC official Alan Dunney said developers sometimes question the viability of providing childcare places. He also said some developments may have dwellings ready to be occupied but the developer cannot get  an operator for the creches, developed as part of the project.

Independent councillor Tom McDonnell said creches are needed to allow both parents to work.

Read more Kildare news

He suggested that KCC approach sports clubs such as GAA clubs with large premises for use as creches and some of these venues could provide very good childcare facilities.

KCC chief executive Sonya Kavanagh said the department might not see this issue as their responsibiity. She also said some childcare enterprises are not viable.