Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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797. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if there is capital funding available for the upgrading and refurbishment of child care facilities in 2014; if applications are being accepted at present; to whom applications should be made; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25840/14]

Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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Capital funding of €2.5 million is being provided in the current year under the Childcare Capital 2014 programme for the maintenance and upgrade of community/not-for-profit childcare services. The objective of this funding is to ensure that previously-funded community facilities remain fit-for-purpose, maintain and improve quality, and to make community services more efficient and sustainable through improving the energy rating of these facilities. The closing date for applications for grants under this programme, which is being administered by Pobal on behalf of my Department, was the 7th May 2014.

Additional capital funding of €5 million has been made available to my Department in the current year under the Phase 4 Infrastructure Stimulus which is being introduced by the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform. I am currently considering the best options for the use of this additional funding.