Childcare activists hoping for suitable building

Some of the childcare action group with Deputy Wall.

The Kilcullen Needs Childcare community group is hoping that a 'fit for purpose' building can be sourced for childcare providers to supply after-school childcare services in the town, writes Brian Byrne. This follows a recent survey that indicates more than 150 children in the community are waiting for pre-school and after-school services.

Alice Malone O'Neill from the group has also welcomed the prospect of the group meeting with Minister for Children Norma Foley, which was mentioned by Deputy Mark Wall in a KFM radio interview last week. "That would be great," she told the Diary. "I'm waiting to hear when this will be."

During the interview, Deputy Wall discussed the survey findings, which his office had conducted in conjunction with Kilcullen Needs Childcare. Amongst the 110 people who responded to the survey, nearly eight in ten were already travelling outside Kilcullen to find childcare, and more than two-thirds of these were relying on family members or other informal arrangements.

When the situation was first publicly highlighted in July, the deputy told the Diary that he had been approached by a number of childcare providers from outside Kilcullen who would consider setting up services in the town if suitable premises could be made available. 

During August, the situation made national attention through an article in the Irish Times and on the RTE News at One.

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