John McGuinness (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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446. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if an extension to the period within which an early years capital grant of €50,000 must be spent by a community project (details supplied) in County Kilkenny will be approved in view of the fact that the building project is at roof level. [50878/17]

Katherine Zappone (Dublin South West, Independent)
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Similar to many government capital grant schemes, capital funding is made available to the Department of Children and Youth Affairs on an annual basis for use within that year.

In 2017, €8.4 million Early Years Capital funding was granted to service providers in a very competitive process to create new childcare places as well as increasing the quality of existing childcare facilities.

In particular for the largest grants under Early Years Capital 2017, those grants falling under Strand 1 of up to €50,000, some services experience pressure in relation to the time needed to complete their projects. In these circumstances, services are encouraged to contact Pobal directly to consider what options are available to them. Nonetheless, in accordance with the public spending rules applicable to the capital schemes, funding granted in 2017 must be spent in 2017 and therefore extensions beyond 31 December 2017 cannot be considered.

In relation to the childcare service provider you mention, I have asked Pobal to contact them directly and liaise further on this matter.

Anne Rabbitte (Galway East, Fianna Fail)
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447. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the amount that her Department has allocated to the learner fund each year since 2013; and the amount her Department has allocated for 2018. [50965/17]

Katherine Zappone (Dublin South West, Independent)
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The Learner Fund was first launched in 2013 but allocations have not taken place on a simple year by year basis, rather new phases of the Learner Fund have been launched on the basis of gauged demand and need in the Early Years sector.

Since 2013, there have been four phases of funding for further education courses in Early Childhood Care and Education accredited by Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI), and two phases of funding for those in the Early Years sector who have pursued degree relevant degree programmes (in the form of a bursary payment). The total amount of allocated over all phases of funding is 4.2 million. The following table offers a breakdown of funding allotted to each phase.

The total amount allocated for this fund in 2018 is 2 million.