Kildare Councillors Clash Over Proposal To Set Minimum Size For New Crèches

Thursday, 1 May 2025 13:23

By Martin Osborne

Meanwhile, after 100 days in government the coalition is facing a backlash over the cost of childcare.

A proposal to set a minimum of 80 children for the establishment of new crèches in Kildare has sparked division among local councillors, with concerns raised about the potential impact on families and local communities.

At Monday’s meeting of Kildare County Council, Fianna Fáil Councillor Suzanne Doyle proposed the development of best practice guidelines for childcare facilities, suggesting a minimum threshold of 80 children per crèche.

She argued that such a policy would promote sustainability and help providers meet regulatory standards for quality childcare across the county.

However, the proposal was met with opposition from Social Democrats Councillor Nuala Killeen, who criticised the move as “a huge policy change that would not benefit families or communities.”

Cllr Killeen advocated for maintaining a diversity of childcare settings, including smaller and sessional providers.

“In a large service, the family tends to lose the personal touch with teachers,” she said, citing high staff turnover in larger childcare chains and stressing the importance of “home-from-home” smaller services.

She also called for any future childcare policies to consider building design flexibility to meet the needs of children of different ages, particularly babies.

““If we are serious, we could also make it essential that a building be viable to facilitate a baby room, which is the most pressing need, and the one that directly influences workforce participation in women,” she said.

In response, Kildare County Council officials clarified that the council does not directly deliver childcare services.

Responsibility for policy development lies with the Kildare County Childcare Committee and the Department of Children, Disability, and Equality.

Alan Dunney, Director of Planning, said the council would accept submissions for a forthcoming Departmental review.

Meanwhile, after 100 days in government the coalition is facing a backlash over the cost of childcare.

Promises made during the general election campaign have not been actioned, according to the group Together for Public Alliance.

Its made up of over 40 civil society organisations who are holding a rally outside Leinster House today.

More from Local News

Thieves Strip Copper From Bord Na Móna Site In Overnight Heist, Resulting In €40K Worth Of Damage

The intruders targeted the facility's control panels, which operate key electric motors, and proceeded to extract copper wiring from the equipment.
Thousands Of Errors Found On Electoral Register, Including Deceased And Duplicate Voters

Audio

Eleven counties have more people on the register than their entire populations.
Kildare's Naoise Ó Cearúil Appointed Fianna Fáil Spokesperson On AI And Gaeltacht

"It's a real privilege to be asked to serve in this capacity," Ó Cearúil said.
Kildare TD To Question RTÉ At Pac Committee Over €3.6m IT "Scandal"

Social Democrats Kildare North TD Aidan Farrelly, who will sit on the Public Accounts Committee (PAC), said: “This latest waste of public money has only come to light because of the recent controversy surrounding the Arts Council’s abandoned €6.7 million IT system.
Heydon Calls Emergency TB Forum As Cases Surge To 20-Year High

The Minister warned that Ireland is now at a "crossroads" in its efforts to eradicate the disease, which has returned to levels last seen in 2003.
Kildare TDs Weigh In As Cabinet Debates High-Cost Housing 'Tsar'

The price tag of over 400 thousand euro is causing controversy.
After Leaving Sinn Féin And Losing Seat, Patricia Ryan Takes €48k Oireachtas Job With Ex-Party Colleague

“I’ve nothing to say on the job, other than I’m extremely happy with the job and I’m very grateful for it,” she said.
Flotilla Of Dublin-Bound Boats Stalled At Confey As Bridge Fault Jeopardises Boat Rally

The Inland Waterways Association of Ireland (IWAI) had organised a major cruise involving events on the Grand and Royal canals, with participants spending over a year preparing, while some bought boats for the event.