Dublin South West Sinn Féin TD, Seán Crowe, has said he was surprised and extremely disappointed for parents who are students at IT Tallaght with the news that it has decided not to accept any of the tenders submitted for their childcare contract.

Deputy Seán Crowe said:

“I was surprised and deeply disappointed to learn that IT Tallaght has decided to reject all the childcare contract bids, for whatever reason, and advertise again.

“This decision will create huge difficulties, uncertainty, and disruption for parents attending IT Tallaght.

“Parents were only recently told that the tender process was unsuccessful and that is likely that there won’t be early years support on campus at the start of term in September.

“We know that there is a growing demand for this service and a lack of childcare on campus will impact on about 40 to 50 parents and children that currently use the facilities.

“Parents are rightly concerned about the lack of provision of early years child care on the expanding ITT campus and are worried sick at the prospect of having to source alternative childcare off campus.

“Anyone that has had to source quality childcare will know of the ongoing difficulties in this sector and sourcing up to 40 to places locally will be a nightmare.

“I have asked the Minister for Education and Skills, Richard Bruton, if he is aware of this oncoming crisis and plan to write to IT Tallaght to ask them to consider keeping the current provider until a new one is identified and approved.”

ENDS