Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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99. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he is satisfied that adequate capital funding is available over the next few years to assist in the provision of new and upgraded childcare accommodation to cater for an increasing population and also the loss of some childcare services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56985/22]

Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
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During 2021, my Department has been allocated €70m in the National Development Plan allocation. This will enable significant capital investment in early learning and childcare across three pillars: Building Blocks - Improvement Grant, Building Blocks - Capacity Grant and a Building Blocks - Innovation Grant.

My Department has allocated €9m for The Building Blocks - Improvement Grant for Early Learning and Care (ELC) and School Age Childcare (SAC) facilities.

Grants will range from €35,000 to €75,000 across two separate strands: Green Energy and Retrofit. The Green Energy Strand will support the Climate Action Agenda and the Programme for Government, which aim to transition to a carbon neutral economy by the end of 2050 and to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 51% by 2030.

Services that sign up for the Core Funding Scheme are eligible for funding under for the Building Blocks - Capital Programme. The capital grant scheme opened to applications on Friday 28th October 2022 and the closing date is Friday 25th November 2022. Successful applicants will be notified in early 2023.

I will be announcing details of the Building Blocks - Capacity Grant in the coming months. This grant scheme will address the capacity gap and will provide an investment of up to €45m in the expansion of existing facilities and development of new provisions.

I am satisfied that the Building Blocks capital schemes will provide a much needed investment for the early learning and childcare sector.