Funding crisis may force closure of Nenagh Childcare Centre in Tipperary
Nenagh Childcare Centre may have to close by the end of the year unless funding is secured
Nenagh Childcare Centre in Tipperary faces a funding crisis that may force it to close by the end of this year resulting in ‘devastation’ for the families of the 107 children in its care.
“Nenagh Childcare Centre have told me that they have a funding crisis and if it isn’t sorted out soon they will face the possibility of closing by December,” said Labour Party TD for Tipperary, Deputy Alan Kelly. “This would be devastating news to the families of the 107 children they take care of and the 23 employees.”
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The Centre receives funding from Department of Children Equality Disability Integration and Youth through Pobal. The balance is paid by the parents. Their fees are fixed due to core funding regulations and are not permitted to raise them by their funders.
“The Chairperson of the Centre informed me that they haven’t raised them in the 20 years that they have been open and they estimate that they are at least €20 per head less than any other service around.
“They are also not allowed to charge optional extras to fund food, equipment and materials.
“They also receive funding from the Department of social protection through their school meals allowance which partially contributes towards 45 children’s meals out of 107 children. They provide four meals per day as per Tusla policy. These are healthy and nutritious meals.
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“They have a core staff of 23 and their funding simply does not currently match their salary outlay. Yet they are required to have this number of staff to ensure child ratios as per Tusla requirements.
“I’m told by the Chairperson that this is a real crisis for the Centre and I assured them I would do everything I can to help them. As a result I raised the issue with the Department of Children during the Public Accounts Committee with the Department last Thursday.
“The Assistant Secretary General of the Department Anne Marie Brooks agreed to meet with the Centre and myself in the coming weeks and we will be writing to her in the coming days to arrange this.
“I’m hopeful that such a meeting will get to the bottom of this funding issue so that Nenagh Childcare Centre will continue to grow,” added Deputy Kelly.
