Parents urge funding for Cork creches as rule changes bite

Parents have urged the Department of Children and Youth Affairs to provide staff funding to seven community creches in Cork city which are at risk of closure.

The Irish Examiner revealed earlier this week how the creches, which provide family support for 225 toddlers in some of the most disadvantaged parts of Cork City, face serious funding challenges due to changes to childcare regulations which mean they must hire more trained staff.

The Cork Early Years Alliance is to hold a briefing at the Imperial Hotel on Monday to inform local politicians of how these early years services cannot survive beyond September.