Allegations of poor quality care and mistreatment of children made against two creches in Co. Dublin are being investigated by the Gardai and the HSE.

A further creche is the subject solely of a HSE investigation.

Reports suggest that children at one creche were unnecessarily strapped in their chairs and abruptly handled while they were resting or sleeping.

And diaries that parents received on their children’s care may have been fabricated, while a list of allergies suffered by youngsters may not have been properly maintained.

The admissions were made by the managers of Giraffe in Belarmine, Stepaside, south Dublin, which is one of three creches now under investigation, The Irish Independent reports.

The allegations arise out of an RTE investigation into the crèches.  

Two other creches, Links childcare in Abington, Malahide, and Little Harvard in Rathnew, Co Wicklow, are also being investigated.

Two members of staff have been suspended at the Giraffe creche in Stepaside, while a staff member at Links has been dismissed..

Tanaiste Eamon Gilmore said that the Government were very concerned about the reports and said Minister for Children Frances Fitzgerald would give it her highest priority.

The probe is based on footage secretly filmed at the Giraffe creche by a TV researcher posing as a care worker showing substandard care at the three facilities.

The HSE’s Children and Family Services unit confirmed that the creche is under investigation. “We received a report yesterday regarding the independent childcare facility in south Dublin.

“The HSE Children and Family services are working with An Garda Siochana to review the report and make an assessment with respect to any child welfare and protection concerns,” a HSE spokesperson said.

Gardai confirmed that they are making inquiries into allegations about two creches, one on Dublin’s northside, which the Herald understands is not a Giraffe centre, and another on the southside.

A statement issued on behalf of Giraffe confirmed it is examining a complaint that was brought to the attention of the HSE in late April by an ex-employee.

“We are taking this complaint very seriously,” said a Giraffe spokesperson.

“As a precautionary measure, we have suspended the two members of staff named in the complaint while we examine the matter and establish the facts,” they added.

Giraffe raised concerns that the complaints had been filed by an RTE researcher working undercover as an employee, who had “purported to be an edu-carer”.

“Last Sunday evening, we discovered that the researcher had also secretly filmed while she was in the centre, but did not supply the footage to the HSE or to Giraffe.

“We have made numerous requests for the footage over the past two days so that we can review and assess the situation, and we still have not received the material.

“We will leave no stone unturned until we establish the facts, and whatever shortcomings are identified will be immediately rectified,” said the Giraffe spokesperson.

“The HSE has requested us to respond to the complaint within a three-month period; however it is our intention to finalise our report within the next week or as soon as we are in possession of all the facts.

“We are seriously concerned to learn of any possibility of poor quality care in our centre at Belarmine. Our immediate priority is to establish the facts and to implement whatever remedial actions are required. We will keep parents informed.”

RTE would not comment on the upcoming Prime Time programme, or whether it intends to supply footage to creches, the HSE or gardai.  

Mr Gilmore described the reports of inquiries in the Dublin childcare centres as “shocking” and insisted Minister for Children Frances Fitzgerald would give it her highest priority.

“These allegations tap into every parent’s worst nightmare,” Mr Gilmore said.

“Parents need to have confidence and trust in the people who are looking after their children. As a Government we are deeply concerned.”