It is “shocking” that the Minister for Children, Katherine Zappone can say she is “stunned” by the situation which is resulting in crèches in Galway, and across the State, closing down.
This is the view of Fianna Fáil Galway West General Election candidate, councillor Ollie Crowe, who said numerous creche owners in Galway have expressed fears that they will “not be able to keep their doors open into the future”.
According to Cllr Crowe, Puddleduck, a crèche in the Shantalla area, had to close with the loss of seven jobs and 48 places. “This business was open for 19 years and had to close due to new regulations and increasing insurance costs,” he said. “Parents are now at a loss, trying to find new places for their children in the New Year. Ultimately, the people who are suffering are the parents and their children.”
Cllr Crowe is calling on Minister Zappone, and the Government, to think “about how much they engage with the childcare sector”. He said: “If we want to tackle this crisis, engagement with the industry is a must. Unfortunately at present it seems this is yet another area where the inability of the Government to take action is having a very negative impact on the daily lives of people.”
