Doherty raises Community Playgroups' dilemma over defective blocks with Minster

Pearse Doherty has raised the issue of Community Playgroups in Donegal having to move out of their buildings due to the presence of defective blocks with Minister for Children Roderic O’Gorman.

The Donegal TD and Sinn Féin Spokesperson on Finance Deputy used the examples of Raphoe Community Playgroup, Letterkenny Community Playgroup and Letterkenny Community Playgroup, all three of whom are looking at the clock. As the respective buildings are not a 'home', it has not been included in the redress scheme.

“Raphoe Community Playgroup has already been forced to move out of the building it owns due to it being condemned and they are now having to fundraise to find a permanent home,” Doherty said. “This is despite me standing here in this very spot back in May raising this issue.

“Letterkenny Community Playgroup is in a race against time to find a new home and - has been given six to eight months before their building is condemned.

“As you will know, there are huge waiting lists for getting a place in a childcare facility in Donegal as it is, just what does this mean if we are seeing places closing down because they’re being condemned as a result of defective blocks?

“These organisations are not included in the government’s flawed redress scheme for houses as their buildings are classed as commercial buildings – even though they are not-for-profits. And they are not alone, many other community and charity organisations in Donegal are in the same position.

“Minister, your government, has not provided any real support or advice for community organisations affected by this crisis. They have been left completely in limbo. And you’ve had the time to try and get to grips with this situation.

“The Government was warned years ago that these buildings had defective concrete blocks and would soon not be safe for children to be in. This news should not have come out of the blue when I raised it with your department in March.

Doherty referred to a pre-local election promise by Taoiseach Simon Harris, which has yet to be accelerated.

“These childcare facilities had to resort to staging a protest on the local election polling day to get the government’s attention,” Doherty added. “The Taoiseach in an interview on a Donegal radio station, just before the local election, promised that he would personally engage with the Department of Children and Department of Housing to see if a solution could be found. What was the result of this engagement? We’ve heard nothing.

“Has a solution been found and if so, can these childcare facilities be told about it as soon as possible? It is currently your department that will have to pick up the pieces regarding this. Your department, Pobal and local childcare committees.

“Can you outline exactly what measures have been taken to address this and what support will be provided to these Community Playgroups and other community groups who will likely soon be in the same position? One playgroup have been told it is going to cost €1 million to rebuild their premises. Will the existing fund allow them to rebuild their premises?

“If it doesn’t, then it's just waffle. People need certainty. Will there be a fund made available to help these services rebuild in their communities?”