This article is from page 4 of the 2008-06-17 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 4 JPG
A CRECHE that provides services for 42 children is to close in Ennis with the loss of 16 jobs.
The Department of Finance has confirmed that the Ennis Civil Serv- ice Créche, Kilrush Road, will close on June 30.
In a statement Marie O’Loughlin, Chairperson, Board of the Civil Service Childcare Initiative said “Since October 2005, the board has sought to appoint an operator to man-
age Ennis Civil Service Créche. In the interests of parents and children in the créche, the board has kept the creche open through a series of tem- porary arrangements in this period. Following the most recent tendering process, the board is in discussions with a potential operator with a view to their taking over operation of the creche with effect from October 1, 2008.”
Ms McLoughlin said, “The board very much regrets having to close the créche. However, the current
arrangements can no longer be sup- ported. In the long-term interests of the creche it is vital that an operator is appointed under license to manage the créche.”
Ms McLoughlin added, “The cur- rent temporary arrangement comes to an end on June 30, 2008, and on this occasion 1s has not been possible to put in place arrangements to keep this creche open.”
In a statement the Department of Finance said that negotiations are underway to a permanent operator
will be in place for a five year period from October I.
The Ennis creche opened in Oc- tober 2003 and was operated for a two year period by Kite Childcare Ltd. The contract period expired on September 30, 2005, and was not re- newed.
Two tendering processes were held in November 2005 and February 2007, but, according to the Depart- ment of Finance, it was not possible to appoint an operator.
In a statement the Department of Finance said, “To ensure compliance with HSE regulations and having consulted with the HSE Preschool services, the board put in place a support structure of people with experience in créche management who were made available to manage- ment in Ennis creche three days per week.”