Eamon Scanlon (Sligo-Leitrim, Fianna Fail)
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504. To ask the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality when the building blocks extension scheme will open again for 2026; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [68007/25]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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The Building Blocks Extension Grant Scheme was launched in late 2024. The closing date for applications was 30th January 2025. There were four strands to the scheme: Community Construction, Community Extension, Community Purchasing and Private Extension. A total of 78 applications were received with 50 applicants approved to progress to the next stage of the grant process. Following approval, applicants were required to finalise the legal formalities of the scheme and projects are now commencing.

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

Officials in the Department are currently examining options and detailed specifications for future Building Blocks schemes, and I expect to announce details in early 2026.