Dublin People - Scandal as crèche lies idle for four years

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Scandal as crèche lies idle for four years

Thursday, 12 June 2008

A GROUP of women are demanding the opening of a crèche in Coolock that has been lying idle since it was built over four years ago.
The crèche at the Northside Civic Centre on Bunratty Road was water damaged shortly after its construction in 2003.
It has been empty ever since, depriving workers at the centre of a vital community resource.
Local parent Georgina Fedigan, who is employed at the centre, said the crèche would be perfect for her three-year-old daughter to attend while she is at work.
As part of her campaign to get the crèche opened, Ms Fedigan has delivered a petition, signed by a number of local women and workers at the centre, to the Office of Public Works (OPW), who have been charged with the responsibility of repairing the building.
“I started the petition because there are so many people with young children working in this building who need this service,” Ms Fedigan stated.
“It’s no use to anybody the way it is so we want them (OPW) to fix the creche as soon as possible. “Otherwise it’s just a terrible waste of space and opportunity.”
Ms Fedigan pointed out that there are so many groups using the centre including the local Citizens’ Information Service, radio station NEAR FM, Dublin City Council and FÁS.
“It can’t be denied that there is an obvious need for childcare facilities here,” she added.
Ms Fedigan said she is currently waiting for a response to her petition from the OPW.
Northside People first highlighted the issue of the unopened crèche in August 2006.
Aside from the water damage problems, at that time the OPW said they had been having trouble finding an operator for the fully equipped crèche and were still advertising for suitable applicants to run the facility.

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