Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 30 September 2014
321. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the funding available for the establishment of community after-school services; the application process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36776/14]
View answerCapital funding in the region of €420 million was provided to community and commercial child care providers in the period 2000 to 2008 for the refurbishment and development of child care facilities under the Equal Opportunities Childcare Programme (EOCP) and the National Childcare Investment Programme (NCIP). Many of these facilities provide after-school child care services. Because of the economic difficulties it has not been possible to provide any substantial capital funding to support developments in the child care sector since 2009.
Capital funding of €2.5 million is being provided in the current year under the Early Years Capital Programme 2014 for the maintenance and upgrade of community/not-for-profit child care services. The objective of this funding is to ensure that previously-funded community facilities remain fit-for-purpose, maintain and improve quality, and to make community services more efficient and sustainable through improving the energy rating of these facilities.
There is currently no capital funding available for the establishment of community after-school services.
Information on the location of facilities providing after-school child care services may be obtained from the City or County Childcare Committee in each county.
