City Council to run childcare facility

Dublin City Council is to branch out from its traditional street cleaning and refuse collecting roles to look after children, it emerged today.

It is seeking experienced childcare providers to run an affordable facility for at least 40 children in the north inner city on its behalf.

Deirdre Ni Raghallaigh, the council’s Deputy Area Manager, said the premises on Buckingham Street could be ready to open in the autumn as part of a unique three-year pilot project.

“While we have been heavily involved in planning, building, facilitating and supporting community run crèches, playgroups and other childcare facilities in all parts of the city for many years, this is the first time we are taking on the direct management and operational funding for a childcare facility,” she said.

“It will allow the council to assess all the issues involved in directly managing and financing high quality affordable childcare facilities.”

The completely refurbished building at 23/24 Buckingham Street, which was acquired and renovated by the council at a cost of €1.1m, is now available and has room for 40 or more children.

It wasn’t possible to open the facility before now because no community group was willing to take on management responsibility for the crèche as well as taking responsibility for sourcing ongoing operational funding.

“Most community childcare facilities are managed by limited companies drawn from local communities who then employ staff and draw down operational funding,” Ms Deirdre Ni Raghallaigh said.

“We are finding it increasingly difficult to identify groups or individuals willing to take on the onerous responsibilities of becoming directors in the childcare area.

“Not having this legal entity had serious implications for management, staff hire and future funding sources, so we decided to bite the bullet and run it ourselves.”

During the pilot period the council will subvent the cost of sending a child to the crèche by funding the difference between an affordable weekly rate (circa €110) and the operational running costs (up to €200 depending on the age of the child).

“We expect to have selected a provider by June,” Ms Ni Raghallaigh said.

“Given time for the operator’s fit-out and recruitment we hope to have Buckingham Street in operation by autumn of this year.”

Dublin City Council will also be looking for a provider to run another new crèche in Liberty Corner off James Joyce street due to be completed and kitted out later this year, which has a further 50 places and would be due to open in 2006.

Lord Mayor Catherine Byrne welcomed the initiative.

“The council is to be congratulated on not only refurbishing the building but taking on this new involvement,” she said.

“I will watch the progress of this pilot with interest.”