BREAKING: Much-loved and badly needed childcare facility in Tipperary to close down

Tipperary Sinn Féin TD Martin Browne and Carrick-on-Suir councillor David Dunne have expressed disappointment over the final decision to close Little Orchards Childcare, despite concerted efforts to find a way to keep it open.

Deputy Browne and Cllr Dunne were informed of the sad news on Friday.

They said: “Unfortunately, Little Orchard Community Pre-School in Carrick-on-Suir is closing. This will come as a huge loss to local families who have relied on their professional and kind services.

“When it was first revealed that its future was in doubt, Cllr David Dunne and I put a lot of work into trying to save the service from closure.

“Part of this involved meeting with South Tipperary Development Company with whom we came to an agreement that if someone from the community could be found to run it on a community basis, that its closure could be averted.

“However, despite our best efforts and that of the community, this did not achieve the results we wanted. This was because it wasn’t possible to identify a suitably trained and qualified individual in such a short space of time ahead of the new school year in September.

“As an alternative, we engaged further with STDC and asked if they would allow more time for this to happen by continuing to run Little Orchard for a 12-month period.

“Unfortunately, we have now been told that this request has been refused.

“As a result, the service will not resume in the forthcoming year.

“This will come as a terrible disappointment locally.

“We put a lot of work into the effort to keep the facility open. However, while this is a setback, we will not be deterred from seeking to find a replacement for Little Orchards, and our efforts for the community of Carrick-on-Suir will continue.

“It is with regret that we received such news.”