Emer Currie (Dublin West, Fine Gael)

I tabled a parliamentary question about the number of applications for the building blocks programme. There were 78 applications in total, 29 of which were deemed unsuccessful or ineligible. This is quite a high number - about 40%. Is there an appeals process and if so, will it utilise the money that has not been allocated? Obviously, childcare providers are very interested in this scheme and we want to see more of them in it.

The Minister and I have spoken about the planning guidelines. Can she give me a timeline for when the review will take place or when we will see the outcome of that? We must address the exemptions around one-bedroom apartments, the fact that a builder can say that they do not need to put in a crèche because there is a crèche in the area even though there might be a waiting list and the fact that it is based on individual planning applications for developments of 75 rather than the cumulative number so communities can miss out. As for the financial expectations around purchasing those very expensive buildings, will that form part of the Minister's public stepping into State-led facilities as well?