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Education Costs

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 13 May 2020

Wednesday, 13 May 2020

Questions (1072, 1073)

Anne Rabbitte

Question:

1072. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the estimated capital cost of creating an additional early years place. [3967/20]

View answer

Anne Rabbitte

Question:

1073. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the estimated capital cost of creating an additional after school place. [3968/20]

View answer

Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 1072 and 1073 together.

It is not possible to accurately estimate the capital cost of providing an additional after school place, as each place which is created has unique costs, ranging from minor modifications to an existing community owned structure, to a new build. Costs also vary based on the location of the after-school service, as this impacts on the cost of land, and the costs and availability of builders to carry out the works.

My Department operates an annual Capital Programme under which early learning and care and school aged childcare providers are invited to apply for capital supports for building works, including after-school care. Grants issued under the Capital Programme are not based on a set amount for each place created, but are calculated based on the costings submitted by the applicant.

Last December I announced the details of the 2020 capital funding programme with €7.2m being made available for the Early Learning and Care and School Age Capital programmes, an increase of over €1million on the 2019 capital programme for this sector.

Due to the COVID-19 closure of childcare facilities, the 2020 Capital Programme has been suspended, but is being kept under review.

Childcare was identified as a strategic priority under the National Development Plan and €250m was committed to the development of additional, high quality, childcare capacity.

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