The Clare Champion Clare news, sport, entertainment and local notes
APPROXIMATELY 50 staff of West Clare Early Years, whose headquarters is located at Glebe House in Crawford Street Kilrush, have been told today (Saturday) that they are being laid off. Come Monday morning up to 400 families will now have no childcare. The centre in Kilrush and outreach centres in Kildysart, Kilkee, Lissycasey and Kilmihil will close with immediate effect. This closure is a devastating blow to the West Clare region, given the size of the workforce and the significance of the service to families in the area.
The West Clare Family Resource Centre has called a public meeting for Monday at 7.30pm in Kilrush Community Centre to deal with the fall out from the development.
“We’ll be gathering on Monday evening to work out a campaign and to call upon local and national politicians to take fast action to guarantee our children aren’t left without good quality care,” Mary O’Donoghue, Co-ordinator of the West Clare Family Resource Centre in Kilrush said.
“These closures are a catastrophe for families who rely on childcare, not to mention the 53 workers who have lost their jobs. First and foremost, we will be calling for reinstatement of all childcare services that have closed. But then we will be insisting that local and national leaders put in place measures that mean this situation can’t happen again in the future,” she added.
The employees were told by text message on Saturday that there were losing their jobs.
“It is with deep regret that the Board of Management of West Clare Early Years, at a meeting held this morning (Saturday) have decided to close down and liquidate the company and all childcare centres and services are closed with immediate effect,” the message to employees read.
“So please, do not attend for work from Monday morning. A meeting with all staff will be held in due course,” the message advised. West Clare Early Years was established on January 4, 2000.
Independent Kilrush election candidate Ian Lynch has told The Clare Champion that Minister for Children, James Reilly, should intervene immediately.
“This is terrible news for West Clare. Over 50 local jobs have been lost but up to 400 families now have no childcare for Monday morning. This needs immediate intervention from Minister James Reilly. I don’t care if the Dáil is dissolved and I don’t care where the government gets the money from. These facilities must remain open at all costs,” Councillor Lynch stated.
“This has the potential to take nearly 500 people out of work. Childcare spaces are extremely difficult to get. What are families to do? We have the facilities and we have the staff. The Government must get the money and open these facilities straight away,” Councillor Lynch maintained.
By Peter O’Connell
Owen Ryan
Owen Ryan has been a journalist with the Clare Champion since 2007, having previously worked for a number of other regional titles in Limerick, Galway and Cork.
