It is simply not good enough that Raphoe Community Playgroup is still left in limbo after its building was found to have defective blocks, the Dail has been told.
The issue was raised yesterday as the what the playgroup will do now.
The issue was raised by Deputy Pearse Doherty.
The Sinn Féin TD was seeking clarity as to when parents and staff will be told what the fate of the playgroup is to be.
He said “Minister, your government has not provided any support or advice for community organisations affected by this crisis.
“They are not included in your government’s already flawed redress grant and they are not alone, many community organisations in Donegal are in the same position.
“This is the next facet of this crisis that is emerging. Where will these community organisations go when their buildings are eventually condemned?
“People in Raphoe want to know if there will be funding to rebuild things and others across the county want to know what will happen when it’s their turn to move out of their premises.
“Government need to provide more clarity on this.”
He said the Minister needs to put himself in the shoes of one of those parents or one of those staff members at Raphoe Community Playgroup to see what they are going through.
He added “You’ve talked about helping the parents to find suitable accommodation, or suitable placements if no suitable accommodation can be found. Nobody knows where this accommodation or these placements are.
“It’s simply not good enough that staff and parents are left in limbo.
“The playgroup itself have identified a place where one of their rooms could relocate to on a temporary basis but this still has to be approved by Tusla and that still hasn’t happened.
“Also, the fact is that the town of Raphoe want their designated permanent playgroup building that they raised money to build.
“They rightfully will not settle for anything less and I support them in that”.