Jim Daly (Cork South West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

365. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the grants available to voluntary organisations for acquiring new equipment in his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7236/16]

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

My Department is operating a number of funding schemes in 2016 through which resources are available to support voluntary organisations in acquiring new equipment. Particulars of the individual schemes are as follows:

Youth Services

Up to €2.6 million will be made available to support small scale capital projects including equipment replacement, refurbishments, health and safety fit outs and accessibility projects in local youth services.

Play and Recreation

A Grant Scheme for Play and Recreation will be made available to support new and existing play and recreation facilities for children and young people. The Scheme provides for new and innovative projects which can include new facilities, equipment, designs and /or the utilisation of non- traditional play spaces or the refurbishment or upgrading of existing play and recreation spaces and facilities. Voluntary Groups can apply to this Scheme for funding for community projects through the Local Authority in which the facility/equipment will be available. Matched funding is a requirement of the Scheme and can be in the form of funds raised by voluntary groups, or a Local Authority contribution of finance or in kind funding. The total amount of funding available in 2016 is €250,000. A maximum grant of €20,000 will be allocated to each Local Authority.

Early Years Programmes

Grants are available, through the City and County Childcare Committees, to Parent and Toddler Groups that are organised on a not-for-profit basis and involve the participation of parents in the community. Grants normally range from €100 to €1,000. The total budget for these grants in 2016 is €250,000.

In addition, capital funding of €4 million is being made available through the Early Years Capital Programme in 2016 for early years pre-school services, including not-for-profit Community Childcare Services, that are making alterations to their service to accommodate the increased numbers resulting from the expansion of the Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) programme. The maximum grant available under this programme is €10,000. The closing date for applications was 8 April, 2016

A scheme of capital grants will also be made available later this year to support the development of after-schools. The total budget will be in the region of €3 million and grants will be available for the purchase of equipment.