Significant demand for childcare spaces in creches and pre-schools in Tramore has left parents uncertain about a return to work.
This comes following a sustained rapid growth in population in Tramore in recent years.
The demand for places has prompted local Green Party councillor, Cristiona Kiely to appeal to the council for the development of a community space in Tramore to facilitate further childcare spaces.
Referring to the success of existing centres in regions such as Cappoquin, she flagged buildings such as the former CBS secondary school on St. Otteran's Terrace, and the former Edmund Rice/Glor na Mara building on Convent Hill as suitable spaces.
According to Cllr. Kiely, parents of young children have approached her regarding their frustration on the issue.
At the most recent metropolitan sitting of Waterford Council, she said: " This urgent need for childcare and for a childcare facility for Tramore is huge, it's only going to get bigger. Tramore is growing, it's more and more young families. Some of those women who were speaking to me have told me that they may not be able to go back to their jobs. They are working in key roles and it will be a loss to everybody if they're not able to return to those roles due to the lack of childcare in Tramore for the next few years."
Vacant buildings
The former CBS building on St. Otteran's Terrace has been empty since 2014 when the two local secondary schools amalgamated.
The building was eventually placed on the market by the Edmund Rice Schools Trust in 2019, a sale which subsequently fell through. A subsequent planning application was lodged and later withdrawn for the site for the development of 13 houses in 2021.
The former 50p shaped building on Convent Hill which houses the Edmund Rice national school and later, Glor na Mara national school has been extensively redeveloped with the intention being use by the local Educate Together national school. However, it is understood that the building is not suitable for the needs of the school in its entirety and therefore is unlikely to be used as such.
Council commitment
Director of Services with Waterford Council, Michael Quinn told Cllr. Kiely that the council has no direct role in the provision of childcare.
However, he did advise that the development of shared community spaces is central to the council's plans for the future of Tramore.
As such, he said: "The obvious solution would be an Urban Renewal Regeneration Fund project which would come after that, so it's certainly on the to-do list for Tramore."
Mr. Quinn did not, however, make reference to the two buildings proposed by Cllr. Kiely.
