Written answers
Wednesday, 22 January 2025
Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth
Childcare Services
Paul McAuliffe (Dublin North-West, Fianna Fail)
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1270. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth for an update on the intended launch of a capital fund for childcare providers [1644/25]
Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
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Capital funding has been allocated to the early learning and childcare sector under the revised National Development Plan (NDP). This will enable significant investment in early learning and childcare. Some €89 million has been allocated to my Department between 2023 and 2026.
The Building Blocks Extension Grant Scheme was launched on the 4th November and opened for applications last month. The closing date for applications is 27th January.
The scheme has four strands:
1. Extensions to existing premises for private services
2. Extensions to existing premises for community services
3. Purchase of new premises for community services
4. Construction of new premises for community services
The primary focus of the Extension Grant Scheme is to increase capacity in the 1–3-year-old, pre-ECCE, age range for full day care. Appraisal of applications for this scheme will consider the supply and demand in the area around the proposed projects and seeks to prioritise funding for areas with the biggest supply/demand mismatch.
€25m will be made available this year to deliver additional capacity under the Scheme. I expect to announce the outcome of the application process in March.
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