Louis O'Hara (Galway East, Sinn Fein)
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273. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the supports her Department can provide to a group (details supplied) in County Galway to establish a new community creche in Caltra; if funding is available for construction and initial operational costs; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5379/25]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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Enabling access to and availability of affordable high-quality early learning and childcare is a key Government priority.

In 2025, €25m is being made available to deliver additional capacity under the Building Blocks Extension Grant Scheme. The Building Blocks Extension Grant Scheme was launched on the 4th November 2024 and opened for applications in December 2024. The closing date for applications was Thursday 30th January, following an extension to accommodate some services affected by power outages. The scheme is now in the appraisal phase with an announcement expected on successful applications in March 2025.

The scheme is designed to support the delivery of full day provision for children aged 1-3. The scheme was open to both private and community providers to undertake extensions to their existing premises or to existing community providers who wished to purchase or construct new buildings.

I am advised that the service in question did not apply for the capital scheme.

My Department does not have an allocation to run any further capital schemes this year. Plans for capital investment next year and beyond are being considered.