Mary Lou McDonald (Dublin Central, Sinn Fein)
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934. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if her Department will provide additional funding to crèches and early learning facilities for the purpose of upgrading outdoor space. [11632/20]

Katherine Zappone (Dublin South West, Independent)
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On 10 June I announced a major funding package to facilitate the reopening of childcare facilities from 29 June.

A significant element of the new funding model is a once-off capital grant with a budget of €14.2m. The amount of the grant for each individual provider will be based on the number of children on Department of Children and Youth Affairs (DCYA) schemes in the service pre- COVID-19.

All services in contract with DCYA on the 12 March who are re-opening between 29 June and the beginning of September can avail of this grant. 

This grant can be used by services to help them to adhere to the reopening public health guidelines by improving hygiene facilities and outdoor play areas. This will reduce the risk posed by COVID-19. Allowable expenditure will include, shade, shelter and play equipment to enable outdoor play as much as possible, and canopies for the creation of a transition space, as well as additional handwashing and toilet facilities.

The application process for the one-off capital grant, which will be administered by Pobal, will go live shortly.