Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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268. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she is in receipt of correspondence (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22251/17]

Katherine Zappone (Dublin South West, Independent)
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I understand that the Deputy is referring to a letter from a childcare service which was received in the Department on 3rd May.

Strand 3 of the Early Years Capital programme 2017 (EYC 2017) was open to services which had 25 or fewer 'unique' children registered as at 28th February 2017. This number was chosen to provide smaller childcare services with an opportunity to apply, particularly in light of the fact that the 2013 capital funding strand for outdoor play favoured larger services. I understand that the service had 35 children registered on 28th February and consequently is not eligible to be considered for funding under strand 3 of EYC 2017. It is recognised that services which do not fall within the threshold will be disappointed, which is understandable. However, please note that if outdoor play is highlighted as a priority for medium and larger services, I will revisit this in the context of the 2018 capital plan.

I also note the comments from the service in relation to how the Application Guidelines have been presented. I have reviewed the Application Guidelines and I am satisfied that the Guidelines, in their entirety, did contain the full eligibility criteria and so I am satisfied that applicants would have been provided with sufficient information to enable them to make an application. However, I accept that the information could have been presented in a more accessible format which would have highlighted, more immediately, who would, and who would not, be eligible to apply for funding under strand 3. My Department, in association with Pobal, will ensure that Application Guidelines for any future Capital Funding programmes will be presented in a more accessible way.