PRESS RELEASE12/08/2005 More crèche places for Cork after major childcare boost - Kelleher Cork North-Central Fianna Fáil TD Billy Kelleher has said more crèche places are to be created in the county after three childcare groups in the county received more than €400,000 in Government grants. ‘The big winners in Cork North-Central were Mayfield Community Preschool which got €24,500 and Mayfield Integrated Community Development Project Ltd which received €94,822. The Young Women’s Group, meanwhile, secured grants worth €284,000,’ said the Dillon’s Cross-based Fianna Fáil TD, who is the deputy Government chief whip. He said there is huge pressure on existing childcare services in Cork city as the population grows and more parents enter the workforce and full-time education. ‘This funding will create more crèche places for our young people - giving them the best possible care and giving their parents peace of mind. Staff in crèches and childcare facilities in Cork city do great work - often under tough circumstances - to care for children. ‘I hope this funding, for which I have pressed the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, Michael McDowell TD, will help create more crèche places. ‘I would like to pay tribute to these three childcare groups which have succeeded in flagging crèche facilities as one of the most pertinent social preoccupations of our time. Their important work has elicited the appropriate Government response and I know the funding will be put to good use,’ said Deputy Kelleher. He said it is particularly significant that Mayfield was singled out for investment in childcare because it is part of the RAPID programme - one of 45 areas around the country in which Government investment is focussed to end social disadvantage and deprivation. Some €6 million was announced for childcare in RAPID areas throughout the country. ENDS
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