Leitrim childcare centre awaits funding amid growing childcare crisis

A childcare centre in Leitrim is awaiting funding to progress plans for a new building that would cater for up to 62 children and help ease waiting lists.

Fenagh Childcare Ltd was granted planning permission in October 2025 for a new childcare facility featuring a range of additions, including a toddler room, classroom, breakfast room, after-school room, milk kitchen and buggy room.

At November’s meeting of Leitrim County Council, it was heard that the voluntary committee had already spent €25,000 on engineering fees, planning costs and other preparations for the new build. The project is shovel-ready, but funding remains the main obstacle.

Councillors Gary Prior and Brendan Barry submitted similar motions calling for the release of funding for Fenagh Childcare Ltd. Cllr Prior asked Leitrim County Council to call on Minister for Children, Disability and Equality Norma Foley TD to provide another round of the Building Blocks Capital Programme, allowing shovel-ready greenfield childcare projects, such as the one in Fenagh, to apply for funding.

The previous round of the Building Blocks Capital Programme did not provide funding for new builds, focusing instead on extensions and renovations, meaning the Fenagh project missed out.

“I wish to highlight the proposed childcare project in Fenagh, where a site is available, the project is ready to progress, and there is a local demand for places,” said Cllr Prior. “While extensions to existing facilities are welcome, they will not meet every community needs,” he added.

“I ask that the Minister sets out a process and timeframe for considering new-build projects such as Fenagh, ensuring projects can proceed without unnecessary delay.”

In a similar motion submitted thereafter, Cllr Brendan Barry asked the Council to call on Minister Foley under the State-funded Early Years and School Age Care settings funding model. He noted that the source of the funding did not matter, whether it came through Building Blocks or another scheme, saying, “We don’t mind which funding we get, once we can get it built.”

He added, “More correspondence and keeping it fresh in the Department will hopefully get it across the line.”

Cllr Maeve Reynolds supported the motion, highlighting the work carried out across the county by community-run voluntary organisations.

“70 per cent of childcare in Leitrim is provided through community run bodies. When there is a group willing and able to develop this, they should be supported in any way they can to provide more childcare places in the county,” she said.