Community creches in poor areas ‘at breaking point’

Hundreds of community creches in disadvantaged areas nationwide “have reached breaking point”, according to a childcare expert.

Seven Cork creches that look after vulnerable babies and toddlers aged 0-3 have said they are on course to close in September because, under regulations, they can no longer rely on untrained community employment workers any longer.

The community creches already use qualified staff but say their tight budgets can’t stretch to hiring additional qualified childcare workers at €24,000 each.