Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Independent)
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560. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if he will expedite the appeal of a centre (details supplied) in County Wicklow in respect of the early years capital grants programme 2014; and if he will ensure that funds awarded will be available above and beyond the current calendar year for the required works. [41185/14]

James Reilly (Dublin North, 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 child care 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. The service in question applied for a capital grant but was turned down. Following an appeal by the service, the case was re-examined and a recommendation made by Pobal to the Department on 14 October. My Department has now responded to Pobal and the service notified of the outcome of their case.

While funds should normally be drawn down and reported on within the calendar year, exceptions are made in certain circumstances, including in cases where appeals have led to the service being notified late in the year of funds available.