Bríd Smith (Dublin South Central, People Before Profit Alliance)
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487. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will consider extending the closing date for the building block improvement grant scheduled for Friday 25 November 2022 (details supplied); if he will acknowledge this difficulty and grant an extension for submission of required paperwork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58769/22]

Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
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The Building Blocks – Improvement Grant opened on Friday 28th October 2022. The closing date for this Grant was originally Friday 25th November 2022.

Officials in my Department have been working closely with Pobal, to identify and resolve any issues being experienced by providers, including whether the closing date should be extended.

I am pleased to advise that Pobal has announced an extension to the closing date, which will now be 16th December. Service providers have been notified through the online portal, the Hive.

Cathal Crowe (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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488. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if his Department will extend the deadline for the building block improvement grant programme, in light of the difficulties in getting the necessary reports back on time that many institutions are experiencing (details supplied). [58778/22]

Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
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The Building Blocks – Improvement Grant opened on Friday 28th October 2022. The closing date for this Grant was originally Friday 25th November 2022.

Officials in my Department have been working closely with Pobal, to identify and resolve any issues being experienced by providers, including whether the closing date should be extended.

I am pleased to advise that Pobal has announced an extension to the closing date, which will now be 16th December. Service providers have been notified through the online portal, the Hive.

Patrick Costello (Dublin South Central, Green Party)
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489. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the progress being made in relation to the provision of part-time and wrap-around childcare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58793/22]

Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
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Officials in my Department are currently compiling the information as requested by the Deputy. This information will be supplied to the Deputy in no later than 10 working days. I have asked my officials to follow up on this to ensure delivery as a matter of urgency.