Gardaí are investigating claims concerning €500,000 in funding at five childcare centres in Co Clare which closed suddenly at the weekend.
Up to 400 families in the west of the county were told by text, late on Saturday, that the centres in Kilrush, Kilkee, Lisseycassey, Kilmihil and Kildysart would not open again.
The centres, operated by the West Clare Early Years Care and Education Services, provided State-funded and subsidised childcare. They employed 53 staff, mainly women. Opened in 2000, the limited company received funding from the Department of Children and Youth Affairs, via the not-for-profit agency Pobal which delivers services on behalf of the State. However, it went into liquidation on Saturday following a board meeting that day.
A department spokesman said last night it had been told by the company’s board in December 2014 of “apparent financial irregularities”.
