Louise O'Reilly (Dublin Fingal, Sinn Fein)
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1036. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if her attention has been drawn to the pressure that owners and operators of childcare facilities are experiencing as the direct result of the cessation of funding streams specifically those grants available for new crèches that require a fit-out to open; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9626/20]

Katherine Zappone (Dublin South West, Independent)
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Since 2015 my Department has administered an annual capital funding programme, under which service providers registered with Tusla are invited to apply for capital funding to increase the capacity of their services,  or to maintain and improve their services.

In 2020 I secured €7.2m in capital funding for early learning and care (ELC)  and school age care (SAC).  I launched the application programme for the 2020 Capital Programme on 28 February but this had to be suspended due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

I am currently reviewing the allocation of the 2020 capital budget and I intend to launch a new capital grant programme in the coming days.  In doing so, I am conscious that demand for childcare services after COVID may be reduced, at least initially. I believe the best use of capital funding in 2020 will be made through supporting services and places already in existence, to reopen after the closure period, and to support them meet the new HPSC guidance.

The application process for the 2020 Capital programme, which will be administered by Pobal, will go live shortly.