In 2017, I made €4m in funding available under the Early Years Capital Programme and a separate €3 million in capital funding for services providing school age childcare. The application process for both funds has now closed. Pobal is responsible for administering capital programmes on behalf of my Department. In addition to providing the online application system, Pobal support the application process with a range of dedicated materials including application guidelines, user videos and a dedicated client services helpdesk. In addition, County Childcare Committees (CCCs) are available to support childcare providers at a local level.
Pobal has advised my Department that approximately *1,800 applications across both capital programmes have been submitted and assured my officials that the application process was satisfactory from a technical and applicant support perspective. In particular, with regard to the IT system, the system did not experience downtime throughout the duration of the application process and no issues presented with how the IT system was operating and processing applications.
As with all funding programmes a deadline is required for receipt of applications. Late applications are not accepted, in fairness to more than 1,800 applicants who made their applications on time.
Pobal are dealing with a small number of complaints in relation to programme design and one in relation to a late application. All complaints are dealt with under Pobal's complaint procedure detailed on the Pobal website.
*tentative figure and subject to change.