John Paul O'Shea (Cork North-West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

570. To ask the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the reasons the application of an organisation (details supplied) was not successful in progressing to the next stage of the process of the building blocks extension grant; if contact will be made with them informing them on the scoring they received and to provide feedback to the group for future applications; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50286/25]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

In 2025, €25m in voted expenditure was made available for the Building Blocks Extension Grant Scheme. The Building Blocks Extension Grant scheme allows for Core Funding Partner Services to extend their existing premises or, in the case of community services, to construct or purchase new premises. 50 projects were shortlisted to be funded and will deliver up to 1,500 additional new full time places for 1-3 year olds.

All applications received for the Building Blocks Extension Grant were appraised in a fair and impartial process. The service referenced in the question applied under the Private Extension strand. Unfortunately the application received was not successful in progressing to the next stage of the process as the scores received in the appraisal were below the required standard.

The service was sent a letter from my Department on Monday 19th May outlining the rationale behind this decision and the scores they received. No further communication was received from the service in relation to this but additional detail on the score can be provided if the service wishes to request it.

The capital allocation for my Department has increased to €795 million over the next five years as part of the recent NDP review. This increased funding will be used in part to provide additional early learning and childcare places through future capital programmes, including potentially operating a further scheme similar to Building Blocks to support the expansion of provision by existing operators, as well as implementing my Departments commitment to capital investment in State-owned facilities.

Details of the 2026-2030 capital programme are currently under consideration and will be notified to the sector in due course.