Written answers
Thursday, 28 September 2023
Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth
Childcare Services
Noel Grealish (Galway West, Independent)
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249. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth what funding is available through his Department for refurbishment and upgrades in naíonra childcare facilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42028/23]
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:
- Building Blocks - Improvement Grant;
- Building Blocks - Capacity Grant; and
- Building Blocks - Innovation Grant.
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.
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