Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
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969. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the status of a buildings block grant for a school (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63855/22]

Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
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My Department was 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 – Improvement Grant. The closing date for this capital grant scheme was 16^thDecember last.

Pobal are now appraising applications received and I am advised that successful applicants will be notified in March.