John Connolly (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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469. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number and details of applicants who were unsuccessful in the applications for funding under the building blocks extension scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31483/25]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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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. These applications came from a variety of locations across the country. All applications received were appraised carefully against the objectives and criteria of the programme in a fair and impartial process.

Of these 78 applications, 11 were deemed ineligible for reasons such as not owning the land on which they wished to construct, no Project Execution Plan included in the application or issues relating to ownership and ineligible expenditure. 18 applications were not shortlisted for reasons such as poor quality applications in terms of quality and readiness and the number of full-time places for 1–3-year-olds proposed to be delivered through this project was significantly lower than that required for the grant value sought.

My Department is currently considering the possibilities for future capital programmes, including potentially operating another initiative like Building Blocks next year to support the expansion of provision by existing providers. As soon as those details are finalised, I will communicate to the sector.

John Connolly (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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470. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of children awaiting an assessment of need in each of the children’s disability network teams in County Galway, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31484/25]

Hildegarde Naughton (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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As this question refers to service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.