Department urged to explore buying former doctor’s residence for Boyle childcare facility

The Department of Children has been urged to explore the possibility of purchasing a former doctor’s residence in Boyle for a much-needed community childcare facility in the town.

At the March meeting of Roscommon County Council, Fianna Fáil councillor Sean Moylan made the proposal to turn the property on Elphin Street, formerly Dr. Fallon’s House, into a community childcare centre under the auspices of Boyle Family Resource Centre.

In tabling a council motion on the issue, he said the former home of the late Dr Martin Fallon, which is currently for sale, was in in the middle of town and an ideal location for such a centre.

Cllr Moylan outlined that currently there was no community childcare facility in Boyle with a population of 3,000 people, and the local childcare group was struggling to find a suitable location for such a facility.

He pointed out that the national benchmark for childcare spaces was 20 spaces for 75 households but in Boyle this sector was operating with 20 spaces for 1,043 households.

“In Boyle there is a two-year waiting list to access childcare places on the Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) scheme. This is having a detrimental effect on the parents of young children who are the backbone of the workforce in most places.

“This is an unacceptable situation holding back the whole area at the moment. This is a vital service that we must set up in Boyle,” he said.

Cllr Moylan told the council meeting that Boyle Community Childcare Committee had conducted an extensive study on local needs and the most pressing issue was to acquire a suitable building to get this off the ground. He said Fallon’s house was deemed to be the most suitable.

“It is a large building on an adequate site with all the relevant services nearby. It is intended that it will be a 52 week a year service to cater for up to 50 pre-schoolchildren under the Early Childhood Care and Education scheme. It will also offer afterschool services,” he said.

Independent councillor Micheál Frain said a similar situation had existed in Ballaghaderreen for a number of years as regards childcare and he would be willing to support this proposal in any way.

“Childcare is a huge issue and intertwined with employment because you will not drive employment in an area if you haven’t these resources,” he said.

Cllr Frain said he wasn’t sure if the Department could make a direct purchase in such cases but it could facilitate the purchase of a facility by a community organisation such as the one in Boyle.

Fine Gael councillor Liam Callaghan agreed that a site should be found for childcare provision, which was an ongoing issue in Boyle. He said similar challenges also existed in other surrounding areas.

Independent councillor Tom Crosby said he was of the belief there was grant-aid available and that this could be explored.

Fianna Fáil councillor Marty McDermott said childcare was a major issue for parents trying to work and pay their mortgages.

Sinn Féin councillor Leah Cull complimented the work of the childcare committee to establish a facility, despite the challenges. She said the town and surrounding areas deserved access to dependable and professional childcare.

Cllr Cull said that a lack of childcare provision could have a knock-on effect for parents who wanted to go back to work. She said they could feel isolated and this could also have a detrimental effect on their mental health. She hoped the childcare facility would happen as soon as possible.

The proposal was also supported by Independent councillor Valerie Byrne, Independent Ireland councillor Nigel Dineen, Independent councillor Tony Ward, and Fianna Fáil councillor and Council Cathaoirleach Paschal Fitzmaurice.

Cllr Moylan said he would be raising this issue with his party colleagues, Deputy Martin Daly along with Norma Foley, Minister of Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth.