Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
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Some €69 million has been allocated over the period 2023-2025 to the early learning and childcare sector under the revised National Development Plan (NDP). This will enable significant capital investment in early learning and childcare across three pillars:

1. Building Blocks - Improvement Grant;

2. Building Blocks - Capacity Grant; and

3. Building Blocks - Innovation Grant.

The Building Blocks - Improvement Grant is now closed. Under this Pillar, €9 million was allocated earlier this year in grants ranging from €35,000 to €75,000 for energy upgrades and retrofit projects, which supported services in need of upgrading, such as kitchen refurbishments, roof repairs and the replacement of flooring.

I am advised that the service did not apply for funding under this scheme. The service did receive funding from my Department under the Early Years Capital Grant Scheme in 2016 and the Fire Safety Capital Grant Scheme in 2021.

Work is currently underway on the design and delivery of Pillars 2 and 3, which have a combined allocation of €20 million in 2024 and €40 million in 2025.

The Building Blocks – Capacity Grant will fund an expansion of existing services in areas of under supply. Funding will also be provided to support the development of new services, where most needed.

The Building Blocks – Innovation Grant will pilot a range of innovative initiatives such as outdoor early learning and childcare services.