Michelle Mulherin (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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170. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs when applications for the child care capital programme will be open; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17160/14]

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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The Early Years Capital Programme 2014, which I recently announced, provides €2.5 million for maintenance and upgrade of community/not-for-profit child care services. The new capital programme, which will be administered by Pobal on behalf of my Department, opened for applications on the 7th April 2014 and the closing date for applications is the 7th May 2014. Full details of the programme, including instructions on how to apply for a grant, are available on the Pobal website at www.pobal.ie.

In addition to this funding, €0.25 million each is being provided to support the Parent and Toddler initiative and Childminding Development Grant scheme and is being administered by the City and County Childcare Committees.