Kerrane reiterates call for a childcare facility in Boyle

Sinn Féin TD for Roscommon/Galway Claire Kerrane has reiterated her call to the Minister for Children that Boyle be one of the areas to see a new childcare facility established given the huge need in the town and surrounding areas.

Plans for the long-awaited state-led childcare facilities went to Cabinet last week.

Speaking having repeatedly raised the issue, Deputy Kerrane said: "The homework is done in relation to showing a huge need for childcare in Boyle with the needs analysis completed and published last year. The need is already well evidenced.

"A forward planning unit in the minister's department is scoping out locations where there is need as part of the roll out of the purchase of state led childcare facilities and Boyle has to be one.

"I have already written to the principal officer in the department who heads up the unit, I have asked her to consider Boyle, where need is already established, and I also enclosed a copy of the very detailed Needs Analysis which was carried out."

While Deputy Kerrane has welcomed that the minister has acknowledged that she has consistently raised the need in Boyle, "we now need to see progress".

"We do not need to waste time doing another needs analysis, the work is done, the need is established, and the department should move as quickly as possible to develop the first state led facility in Boyle," the local TD said. "I will continue to engage with the minister and the department until Boyle has the childcare facility it needs and deserves."