Minister notes 'issues' blocking Playgroup plan

A Government minister says she hopes that the issues which have stood in the way of the provision of a modern Childcare & Family Resource Centre in Kilcullen could be cleared 'in the coming weeks', writes Brian Byrne.

Frances Fitzgerald TD, Minister for Children & Youth Affairs, was at the Naomh Bhride Community Playgroup yesterday afternoon to see the site and the plans for the new Centre. She said that she was aware that the same issues had caused 'unexpected difficulty' and had led to the loss of the funding which had been originally granted for the project.

Her comments were a direct reference to the fact that the problems in securing a lease for the new premises have not yet been resolved.

But the Minister congratulated the Playgroup staff and volunteers for the quality and the service they have been giving to parents from the locality since the facility was first established in the 1970s. "That quality is obvious, because parents wouldn't keep bringing their children back here if it wasn't there."

She made special reference to those who were in the Playgroup at the beginning, saying that they were responding to a need which really wasn't then recognised by society, but certainly is now.

"We know from research that good quality early childcare of three hours a day in a preschool setting makes a huge difference to childrens' outcome," she said. "Even economically, when the OECD did their report on Ireland last year on competitiveness they said it was hugely impacted by quality experiences for children in the early years. So it adds to how well a country does. And that's very important for all of us at the moment."

On funding, the Minister said she wasn't going to pretend that it isn't a difficult time in that regard, but noted that when she became Minister for Children and Youth Affairs she had managed to reopen the Capital Programme for some support to the sector.

"We don't know what will happen, but as our economy grows I hope we can begin to support childcare facilities again. In the meantime I know you're exploring Leader programmes and the County Council on various supports that you might get. I'm tuned in to the situation now, and if there is anything I can do, obviously I want to support you."



Eilis Keogh from the Playgroup presented the Minister with a hamper of foods produced in the locality. "You can't take home this goodwill and support we have in our fantastic town," Eilis said, "but this is a symbol of what Kilcullen has to offer in edible form."

Minister Fitzgerald quipped that the gift was too much, that it was enought 'to feed the whole Department of Children & Youth Affairs'.

She was accompanied on the visit by Deputy Martin Heydon and Cllr Ivan Keatley.