New South Leitrim childcare facility to ease waiting lists and support local families

Fenagh Childcare has been granted planning permission for a new childcare facility that will cater for up to 62 children in the locality.

The new centre will feature a range of additions, including a toddler room, classroom, breakfast room, after-school room, milk kitchen, buggy room, and more.

Catherine Conefrey, Chairperson of Fenagh Childcare Ltd, described the urgent need for expansion. When asked what motivated them to apply for planning permission, Catherine said, “It was really the waiting lists we had for people in the local community. Also, we had an after school in the school but there wasn’t capacity for a breakfast club either.

“For younger children such as babies and toddlers there was no other childcare available locally for that age group as well,” she explained.

She noted that they are already at full capacity and questioned what the situation would be like in a few years’ time.

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Fenagh Childcare initially operated a preschool where waiting lists began to rise significantly. They later provided after-school care, which doubled in demand by the second year. However, they couldn’t accommodate the necessary expansion.

This story reflects a wider issue across Ireland, where many childcare facilities face lengthy waiting lists. Fenagh Childcare could previously accommodate just 24 children,  the new facility will serve 62, drastically reducing waiting lists. “It’s really going to keep us in a really good position for childcare locally for the foreseeable future. It means we’ll be able to cater for everyone in the locality. It’s fantastic,” said Catherine.

Their after-school programme currently runs in the community centre, accommodating 42 children, with demand continuing to grow. “That’s growing, there’s other parents now realising they have potential for a place and we’re being approached every week,” she added.

The Fenagh Childcare Ltd committee operates on a voluntary basis, and Catherine praised the team’s dedication. “We have a fantastic voluntary committee and we’re really working on this every week, it’s taking up a lot of people’s time and we’re really hoping that we will see ground breaking next year on this.”

The next step for the group is to secure funding through the Building Blocks Extension Grant Scheme when it reopens in 2026 to fund the extension.

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Catherine also acknowledged the support received from local representatives who assisted with information, the planning process, and maintaining communication including Cllrs Gary Prior and Brendan Barry.

Cllr Prior welcomed the news of the approved planning permission, describing it as “the way forward.” He said, “They’re a great committee and they know what they’re about. It’s a huge undertaking but it goes to show the importance of these childcare facilities and the huge demand.”

Highlighting how childcare facilities in the area are already at capacity, Cllr Prior noted that one family looking to move back to South Leitrim decided against it because they couldn’t find childcare. “It’s a huge problem so this is very welcome. It will be a great advantage to the local area and will take several communities in South Leitrim.

“The main thing now is to get the funding and get started as soon as possible. We’re aware as local representatives of the demand and the need for it,” he added.

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