Crumbling playgroup leaves kids 'devastated'

Ellie, Molly and Lily all attend Raphoe Community Playschool in County Donegal

A County Donegal playgroup for about 45 children has warned it is facing closure because the building is crumbling due to defective concrete blocks.

Raphoe community playgroup manager Fiona McCrabbe was told earlier this month that the building contains mica.

The mineral, which has been found in thousands of buildings across the republic of Ireland, absorbs water causing walls to crack and crumble.

Ms McCrabbe said she was told the building will need to be condemned.

She said the whole community had been left devastated by the news and is hoping the playgroup can be saved.

In November 2021, the Irish government introduced what it said was a significant number of improvements to a previous scheme for mica homeowners.

The scheme, which is capped at €420,000 (£357,500), is for homeowners in counties Donegal, Mayo, Clare and Limerick.

Ms McCrabbe told BBC Radio Foyle that because their building, which is owned by a committee, is classed as a commercial building they have so far been unable to secure any funding from the government or local authority.

BBC News NI has approached the Irish government and Donegal County Council (DCC) for comment.

The Raphoe community playgroup manager says their building has tested positive for the mineral mica

"We had noticed what we thought were settlement cracks right after the first few years of moving in," Ms McCrabbe said.

"We then had these inspected and did some repairs, but over these last couple of years it has become a serious problem.

"We engaged an engineer who has been monitoring the cracks and then we were advised to do a mica test.

"The report then came back to say it was mica and recommended demolition."

Fiona McCrabbe says the cracks in the building are very concerning

Ms McCrabbe, who has spent years working in the community-based playgroup, said she burst into tears upon hearing the news.

She said the safety of the children was paramount and is hoping they can secure the long-term future of the playgroup soon.

Ms McCrabbe said many parents have also now been placed into the difficult position of not knowing whether or not their children will have a playgroup come September.

Fiona McCrabbe says she burst into tears when she heard the building would be condemned

Claire Laird has three children, Ellie, Molly and Lily, who all attend the playgroup.

She said she was absolutely devastated when she heard the playgroup may not be there come September.

"All the children love the school, they are practically racing through the door when we drop them off," Ms Laird said.

"They have all their wee friends there as well so it would be really sad if all of them had to be split up."

Cracks in the building have been getting bigger in recent weeks

Ms Laird said the children had started to make drawings saying: Save Our School.

With not many other playgroups in the area, she said if the playgroup were to close many parents would be fighting over limited spaces at other schools.

"The building itself was built specifically as a playgroup and has so many fantastic facilities for the kids," she said.

"It has a sensory room and so many other facilities for children with additional needs so there is understandably a lot of worry out there for many families."

"There are about 50 families who all go there, so we are all just hoping that something can be done," she added.