An extra 42 after school childcare places are set to become available in Portlaoise following a €309,475 government investment.
Birchgrove Childcare Centre in Portlaoise currently caters for 36 children.
This investment will allow for a significant expansion and it is hoped that the new places will come on stream by the end of the year.
Local TDs, Fianna Fail’s Sean Fleming and Fine Gael’s Willie Aird, welcomed the news.
Deputy Fleming said: “This is an excellent facility in Portlaoise and due to the growing population of the town the demand for their services is increasing.
“This centre provides quality after school services for children from 4 to 12 years of age.
“I want to acknowledge the work of Laois Partnership Company and Laois County Childcare Committee for their ongoing work in supporting much needed childcare facilities in Laois.
“Prior to this announcement a proposed comprehensive construction plan was part of the application and the Office of Public Works reviewed the plans and Pobal confirmed the need for these additional places.
“I now look forward to this project moving ahead so that these much-needed extra childcare places can be provided as soon as possible.”
Deputy Aird said: “I’m delighted to see that Birchgrove Childcare will benefit from this additional funding.
“This funding will help deliver quality, affordable childcare places for children in County Laois.
“This funding is part of the Building Blocks Extension Scheme, which funds additional places in both community and private early learning facilities.
“It will deliver additional capacity by supporting existing private and community early learning and childcare providers to extend, purchase or build new premises.
“Having access to affordable, high quality, flexible childcare is crucial for families in Laois to support families to balance work and care responsibilities.
“This funding will help childcare providers continue to carry out their excellent services.
“In particular, I’m delighted to see funding of Birchgrove Childcare.
“The staff provide a fantastic service to so many children in the area, and with this funding more places will be available.
“It is expected that the projects that received funding will begin in the coming months, with many of the additional places coming on stream to towards the end of the year.
“We know that investing in high quality early childcare reaps rewards later in life.
“Parents in Laois can be reassured that Fine Gael is doing everything we can to deliver quality, affordable, and flexible childcare places.”
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