A new playschool is set to open its doors for over 20 young children at the old school in Emo in September, with building work planned to be finished by then.
With a local playschool run by Deverells for many years in Coolbanagher closing recently, there was a need for the service to be provided locally.
A new playschool will be housed in the existing playshool with a new room to be built to increase capacity there.
“We were very much in favour of keeping a playschool in the area,” Cllr Tom Mulhall, who is secretary of the Old School Restoration Committee, said.
With many people dropping older children to Emo NS, there was a strong need for younger children to also be catered for in the local community.
A planning application is currently with Laois County Council with a decision due on June 4. This application is seeking permission to construct a new room to the rear of Emo Parish Recreational Centre for use as a childcare facility.
If planning permission is granted, then work could start as early as July to allow the new facility open in September.
This new playschool will cater for an estimated 22 children from the local community.
“It is similar in size and in keeping with the old school,” Cllr Mulhall said.
“It will be a wonderful facility and will be near Emo NS, which has 240 pupils. This facility will be ideal for parents who have older children in the national school,” Cllr Mulhall said.
“This will complete a circle of education in Emo,” Cllr Mulhall said.
Fundraising
Some fundraising is expected to take place. However, with a number of local groups using the facility already, it is expected that any such ventures will be well supported.
A number of public meetings have been held previously to brief the local community on the plans. Groups which use the existing facility include the local youth club, the active retirement association, Emo Tidy Towns, and a local mother and toddler group.
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