A daughter of the late broadcasting legend Gay Byrne says she feels like a “punch bag” due to the Government’s lack of childcare facilities during the lockdown.
Crona Byrne, who runs the Owl and Pussycat daycare and after-school in Killaloe, Co Clare with her husband Paul Carney, are dealing with “non stop upset and worry” due to the closing of the centre in March.
Her 85-year-old father passed away at his home surrounded by his wife Kathleen, daughters Crona and Suzy in Howth, Co Dublin on November 4 last, following a long battle with prostate cancer.
Taking to her official Facebook page, Ms Byrne points out that a press statement issued by Taoiseach Leo Varadkar informed all childcare centres they had to close on March 12 by 6pm without consultation.
She said: “On March 12 we were informed during a press statement by the Taoiseach that we were to close at 6pm. Schools had been given an advance warning this was about to happen. Needless to say parents were very put out by this and understandably so.
“The past 11 weeks have been non stop upset and worry for us all which is not good, in already worrying times. They have sent creches into a tail spin.
“Since then it has been a complete mess. (Children’s) Minister Katherine Zappone has made several statements about how she has been in communication with crèches. I have to tell you she has spoken to several groups who say they are acting on our behalf but they have done so little communication with us.
“The Minister and her office feel it is ok to email us, very late in the evening and more often than not it’s a Friday night.
"The contents of the emails lead generally to upset and huge concern over what is going on.”
Ms Byrne points out, that they were informed, “like everyone else” that they would be opening on June 29.
“We have not been briefed nor asked what our opinions or suggestions are for this phase of the opening. I think at this stage it is going to be hugely rushed with implications for us in the sector as no proper thought has gone into this.”
