Childcare workers ’plastering together’ defective Ardara crèche - Donegal Daily

Senator Eileen Flynn has told how childcare workers at her daughters’ crèche in Ardara are ’plastering that building together every week,’ due to defective conc...

Senator Eileen Flynn has told how childcare workers at her daughters' crèche in Ardara are 'plastering that building together every week,' due to defective concrete.

Senator Flynn was speaking at in the Seanad ahead of the passing of the motion backing the remediation of social homes impacted by defective concrete.

She has, on many occasions, raised the issue of the crèche's defective blocks and did so again during the debate.

Ms Flynn highlighted how, last week, members of a group representing Donegal crèches and childcare facilities 'held an excellent event in Buswells about the need for childcare in Donegal and in rural communities.'

She continued: "There are more than 25 childcare facilities in Donegal - the ones we know of - impacted by defective concrete.

"My two wee girls go to the local crèche in Ardara. The children's biggest worry is that the crèche is going to fall down.

"We all had conversations with our children about the defective concrete in it.

"Billie and Lacey always ask me about when the crèche is going to be knocked."

Sen Flynn told how the children 'are constantly worried about the crèche'.

"The women work brilliantly with the children. It is the heart of the community in Ardara, especially for working parents.

"President Connolly came to visit the crèche in February. Deputy Charlie Ward and his county councillors have been to the crèche in Ardara.

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"I do not know all the ins and outs of the 25 crèches. I am only speaking to the one that I know best.

"Genuinely, those childcare workers are plastering that building together themselves nearly every week. That is unsafe."

Sen Flynn invited the Minister of State to 'take a trip to the crèche in Ardara to see for himself the level of danger.'

"The children are safe. It is not going to fall down overnight - I hope not anyway - but he needs to come down and see it with his own eyes."

Senator Flynn said she also looked forward to 'some of the Minister of State’s feedback around social housing, the Traveller accommodation and, most importantly right now for me as a working mother, the safety of my children and other children in the crèche in Ardara'.

"I would really love for the Minister of State to come and visit the crèche and see with his own two eyes.

"If he could accept that invitation, it would be a step forward for the childcare workers in Donegal.

"We are coming together in a few weeks - I hope before Christmas - to come up with a solution and see what we can do collectively in getting new buildings, etc., for facilities because we do not want to lose the crèche in our local community.

"It would be brilliant if the Minister of State could take up the invitation and work with us going forward on a good redress scheme that includes everybody."

Ms Flynn said the department would 'like to get more information' on the issues raised.