Jackie Cahill (Tipperary, Fianna Fail)
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1293. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if a community group (details supplied) can apply for funding and support to her Department in the provision of a community crèche and playschool which will consist of an extension to the existing community hall; the programmes they can apply under; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13500/17]

Jackie Cahill (Tipperary, Fianna Fail)
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1302. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if there are any schemes that a community group (details suppled) can apply to for funding and support to her Department in the provision of a community crèche and playschool which will consist of an extension to the existing community hall; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13501/17]

Katherine Zappone (Dublin South West, Independent)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 1293 and 1302 together.

In relation to the Early Years Capital programme for 2017, yesterday I announced that funding will be made available under this programme in three strands, as follows:

- Strand 1: New Places (€3 million total available – maximum €50,000 per grant);

- Strand 2: Building improvements and maintenance/refurbishment (€500,000 total available, maximum €20,000 per grant, Community childcare services only);

- Strand 3: Natural outdoor play area (€500,000 total available, maximum €5,000 per grant).

Pobal will be responsible for administering the programme on behalf of my Department. Further details and information on how to make an application for funding will be available shortly on the Pobal website www.pobal.ie.

Additionally, at the recent launch of the Action Plan for School Age Childcare I announced a separate €3 million in capital funding for services providing school age childcare. This capital scheme will open in April and will encourage expansion in the number of school age childcare places along with enhancements to quality.