Martin Heydon (Kildare South, Fine Gael)
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219. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs with regard to the proposed allocation of €2.75 million under the childcare capital funding programme, if applications will be considered from childcare facilities that have not previously received funding under other capital programmes; if not, the other funding alternatives available for such facilities that wish to access the capital funding programme but find themselves excluded in view of the fact that they are not previous recipients; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19297/13]

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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I was successful in securing €2.75m in capital funding in Budget 2013, under the Childcare Capital Programme 2013, to support the ongoing improvement of the childcare sector. Community/not-for-profit and private childcare providers/childminders that are currently providing services under one or more of the Department of Children and Youth Affairs funding programmes - the Community Childcare Subvention (CCS) programme, the Childcare Education and Training Support (CETS) programme and the Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) programme - are eligible to apply.

There is no requirement for childcare services, applying for funding under the Childcare Capital Programme 2013, to have received funding under previous childcare capital programmes.

The 2013 funding programme covers four strands:

Strand 1: small grants to purchase equipment or carry out small maintenance work;

Strand 2 : grants to improve accessibility of services for children with disabilities;

Strand 3: grants to provide natural outdoor spaces that promote active outdoor play; and

Strand 4: grants towards critical works to ensure that buildings are fit for purpose under the childcare regulations (open to community/not-for-profit services only).

It should be noted that in the case of applications for funding under Strand 3, the HSE will be consulted in relation to the proposed works. Applicants who are not required to be notified to the HSE will receive an on-site visit from Pobal or the local City/County Childcare Committee to verify the application and validate the need for the proposed works.

The 2013 Childcare Capital Programme will also be administered by Pobal on behalf of the Department. Full details of the Programme, including instructions on how to apply for a grant, are available on the Pobal website at www.pobal.ie. Applications must be made on-line, and the closing date for applications is Tuesday, 30 April 2013. There is no other capital funding available to my Department.