Boyle has been selected for a proposed State-led childcare facility aimed at addressing a shortage of places in the town and surrounding area.
The Department of Children, Disability and Equality has identified an undersupply of childcare locally, particularly for children aged one and two.
The Department will now work to identify a suitable not-for-profit provider and progress the project towards final approval.
A Childcare Needs Analysis prepared by the Boyle Community Childcare Committee documented unmet demand in the area and formed part of the case presented to Government.
Senator Gareth Scahill welcomed the announcement and acknowledged the work of the committee and Boyle Family Resource Centre.
“This is wonderful news for Boyle and particularly for the families who have struggled to find childcare places locally,” he said.
Roscommon/Galway TD Claire Kerrane also welcomed Boyle’s inclusion, saying she had raised the shortage with Minister Norma Foley and the Department on a number of occasions, including last week.
“It will provide an essential service to parents and jobs,” she said. “It was a pleasure to work with Boyle Community Childcare to deliver this.”
The Government has committed €135m through the National Development Plan to support the delivery of additional childcare places nationally up to 2030.
