Community loan for Fionn Ghlas Early Years Hub

Having a child should not prove an obstacle to getting a job or returning to the workforce. In most developed societies the necessary supports are in place to ensure this does not happen.

 

However, the relatively underdeveloped nature of Ireland’s childcare system can sometimes mean that new parents are effectively penalised for starting a family.

 

Some of the highest childcare costs in the European Union, combined with uneven provision of the service can result in some being unable to return to work or to take up job offers. 

 

Finglas Childcare was set up in 1993 to counter just such poverty traps, with the service focused on providing affordable childcare and helping unemployed people return to work. 

 

Over the intervening years, the organisation has blossomed and operates a number of crèches in the area, providing childcare to more than 140 children and employing over 90 staff.

 

The organisation has maintained its focus on those seeking to access or enter the workforce and the crèches cater for the children of parents taking part in training or education courses, or who have returned to work. They also care for children referred by the HSE. 

 

In 2012 Finglas Childcare began an extensive refurbishment of the area’s former Garda station, with the aim of creating a a major new childcare space in the area, with capacity for over 60 children. 

 

The new space would help the organisation make savings of some €45,000 per annum on rental costs for existing premises, while offering improved facilities for the children.

 

However, the ambitious redevelopment project ran into unforeseen planning and construction difficulties, which in turn saw costs rise and the very viability of the project threatened.

 

With the planned expansion in doubt, Finglas Childcare turned to Clann Credo for support, with whom they had an existing relationship.

 

It was clear the proposed project made financial, social and economic sense, given the critical service provided by Finglas Childcare and its own role as an employer in the wider area.

 

With support from Clann Credo, the ambitious plan finally went ahead.