The first all-day childcare centre in Co Meath is to be set up to serve the county's Dublin commuters and those working in the NEC semi-conductor plant.
This morning, the Minister for Education, Mr Dempsey, also a local TD, will turn the sod on a 1.7-acre site in Ballivor, where the centre is to be situated.
Those behind the centre hope that it will open its doors in autumn 2003
Ms Marie Daly, one of the people behind the project, said many people in south Co Meath commute to Dublin every morning and have to bring their children with them to schools nearer the Dublin area. Others have had to give up work due to the prohibitive cost of childcare.
She said the centre would give some of these people a place where they could leave their children. The centre would cater for 83 children.
The population of Ballivor has increased considerably in recent years, with two new estates contributing some 900 extra people.
The need for the centre was established after a local survey indicated that parents wanted one somewhere near the town.
The Department of Agriculture, in conjunction with three local men, made a site available, and since then the project has gained considerable local support. NEC also made a financial contribution.
The project began at the instigation of the Trim Initiative for Development and Enterprise (TIDE). Out of that grew the Ballivor Community Childcare Group, which has been working on it for the past two years.
Ms Mary Darcy, the public relations officer of this group, said the centre would provide "affordable" childcare that would be a "huge asset" to the community.
The €1.7 million cost of the project was met by a grant from the Government's Equal Opportunities Childcare Programme 2000 and 2006. The project will create between 20 and 25 jobs.
Priority for child places will go to the local community and parents who wish to return to education and training.