Last week, the Happily Ever After childcare service in Tuam, County Galway, informed parents that it will be forced to close its doors at the end of this month. The building does not meet fire safety requirements. The landlord has reneged on previous commitments to carry out the necessary works on the building to make it safe and has said these works would be too costly. This has left the operators, their 19 staff members and the parents of the 97 children the service cares for in a very difficult position. Their livelihoods are at risk. There is a lack of childcare spaces in Tuam, and the reality for many of these parents is that they will now be forced to leave their jobs to care for their children.

This is a really serious situation. Time is of the essence. I ask the Tánaiste and the Government to look into this, to engage with all the different parties involved, to offer any supports they can to prevent this service from being lost and to ensure adequate childcare provision in the local area.

I thank the Deputy for bringing the matter to my attention. I will certainly ensure that contact is immediately made with the Minister for children about the Happily Ever After childcare service. Perhaps there is also a role for the county childcare committee in relation to this. I will ask the Minister, Deputy Foley, to look into the issue and to revert directly to the Deputy’s office.