Nursery reopened after major overhaul

A Daughters of Charity nursery was reopened in Dublin today following a €1.28m refurbishment.

Taoiseach Bertie Ahern opened St Louise’s Nursery on North William Street in Dublin 1 which will provide pre-school facilities for 48 children all year round.

“Community life has always been at the heart of what the Daughters of Charity do. And we in Dublin are indebted to them for their services, be they in education, health or social care,” Mr Ahern said, as he congratulated them on their work.

“This nursery has always been accessible. It is affordable and it meets the needs of the local community in North William Street and the surrounding areas. And the good thing about this new facility is that it will meet the needs of even more parents over the working day.”

The new public facility will also provide parents with an opportunity to avail of education, vocational training and personal development tuition.

The overall capital cost of the refurbishment was €1.28m euro – a donation from the James Family of Michegan in the USA contributed €659,000 to the total sum.

The Daughters of Charity donated €460,000 to the project, €20,000 came from the National Conservation Grant Scheme from Dublin City Council, €6,700 was given by the St Stephen’s Green Trust and Dublin Bus also donated €5,000.

The nursery was first opened on the site in 1975 by Sr Kevin O’Flynn, and it has received some Government funding since 1977.

The new building was purpose built to meet the needs of staff and children, and includes four group rooms, one toddler room, one parent room, a staff room, kitchen, dining room and reception area.

The facility, which also includes an outdoor play area, vegetable patch and herb garden, will provide local children with a safe place to socialise and learn.

John Tuffy, chairman of the Daughters of Charity Nursery Management Committee, said: “These wonderful children and families deserve this beautiful facility.

“We are proud to be associated with it and look forward to working with the relevant authorities, especially the Health Service Executive, in ensuring that this service continues into the future.”