Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I assure the Deputy that childcare and early learning is an absolute priority of this Government. The building blocks extension grant scheme is an important part of that. I appreciate that €25 million is €25 million, but the 78 applications were just the applications.

There was no impediment in saying "We will take only X number". That was what we received. It is important that up to €750,000 is available to not-for-profit providers wishing to purchase or construct a new premises delivering net additional capacity. It is a significant amount of money. The Deputy is right, however, about the number of properties around the place that are empty and were designated when they were being built to support housing developments and are not being used as childcare facilities. There is an issue with that. It is working beautifully in some parts of the country but I am well aware where it is not working. We are engaging with the Minister for housing on that, particularly as regards the planning guidelines and what we expect going forward as regards provision for childcare.

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