John Paul O'Shea (Cork North-West, Fine Gael)
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1946. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if she will provide an update on the allocations for the building blocks extension grant scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20932/25]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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The Building Blocks Extension Grant Scheme is designed is to increase the number of full day places for 1–3-year-olds, pre-ECCE age range by existing Core Funding Partner Services. €25 million has been made available and it is anticipated to deliver a significant increase in places for this age cohort.

The Building Blocks Extension Grant Scheme is offering the largest capital grants in many years and allows, for the first time since the National Childcare Investment Programme, for the purchase or construction of new facilities to be operated by existing community providers. Up to €750,000 is available to not-for-profit providers wishing to purchase or construct new premises delivering net additional capacity.

The scheme has four strands:

1. Extensions to existing premises for private services

2. Extensions to existing premises for community services

3. Purchases of new premises for community services

4. Construction of new premises for community services

The Building Blocks Extension Grant Scheme was launched on 4th November 2024. The closing date for applications was 30th January.

A total of 78 applications were received - four purchasing applications, 16 private extension applications, 22 construction applications and 36 community extension applications. These applications come from a variety of locations across the country.

Initial eligibility reviews, a full appraisal process and further suitability checks have been undertaken of the applications. OPW and Pobal completed appraisals of eligible applications against three criteria - evidence of need, quality of application and readiness to progress the project - and the scores on these criteria have been collated.

A list of recommended services is currently under review with further detail being examined in some cases. I have been briefed on the scores of the appraisals.

I expect to announce the outcome of the appraisals and next steps of the process imminently.