Mairéad Farrell (Galway West, Sinn Fein)
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128. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth regarding the recent refusal of a block extension grant for a school (details supplied), if she has plans to review the qualifying criteria when it comes to the issue of lands being held in trust; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31961/25]

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. There were four strands to the scheme: Community Construction, Community Extension, Community Purchasing and Private Extension.

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. 49 of these applications are progressing to the next stage of the grant process.

In line with legal advice received by my Department, services applying under the Community Construction strand were required to own the land on which they wished to construct the new premises, in order to be eligible. This was clearly articulated in the application documentation provided to all eligible services. This documentation included a formal communique, Applicant Guidelines and a Frequently Asked Questions document.

Based on the information provided to my Department the early learning and childcare service that the Deputy refers to does not own the land on which the new premises was to be constructed and therefore this project falls outside the parameters of the scheme as set out in the scheme rules. As such, their application was deemed ineligible.

The reason for this requirement is that the scheme offers significant investment of public money in the development of buildings that are not owned by the State. For that reason, it is essential that the State can be assured that the building will be used for its intended purpose over the long term and not repurposed or sold on. The most effective way to achieve this is through the registration with Tailte Eireann of a charge in favour of the Minister over the property. The construction of a new building on leased land presents significant legal and practical challenges, particularly with the time constraints of this scheme and the imperative to begin projects imminently.

My Department is currently considering the design of future capital investment programmes, including how best to protect the State's interest in publicly-funded capital assets. As and when details of any future schemes are determined, I will of course communicate with the sector.