Michael Lowry (Tipperary, Independent)
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1808.To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if a building block application will be reviewed (details supplied); the reason this application was not successful following the Pobal appraisal process; the additional funding opportunities that will be available for groups such as this to obtain funding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32137/24]

Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
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Capital funding has been set aside for early learning and childcare capital projects over the period 2024 - 2026 under the revised National Development Plan (NDP). This will enable significant investment in early learning and childcare.

Between 2024-2026, my Department is delivering capital investment through the Building Blocks Capacity Grant Scheme. The scheme will operate over two strands, an Expansion scheme and an Extension scheme to support existing services to increase capacity.

The Expansion Grant Scheme, which is now closed, provides funding for projects valued at between €50,000 and €100,000 for the internal renovation or reconfiguration of existing services to deliver additional capacity.

I am advised by Pobal that the service's application under the Expansion Scheme was deemed ineligible as it did not include the mandatory professional report, as outlined in section 3.6 of the Application Guidelines.

The service may consider making an application for funding under the Building Blocks Extension Grant Scheme, which I recently announced. The Scheme will offer funding for larger scale extension projects, valued at between €100,000 and €650,000, to enable existing services to increase their capacity. This scheme will also fund community-based not-for-profit services who wish to purchase or build new premises, and will include the purchase and installation of modular buildings. Tipperary Childcare Committee will be in a position to assist the service with their application.