Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 5 May 2021
434. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if his attention has been drawn to the long-standing issue of suitable and sustainable accommodation for a community run childcare facility (details supplied) in County Kilkenny. [22843/21]
View answerMy Department has, since 2015, administered an annual capital funding programme, under which early learning and care (ELC) and school aged childcare (SAC) services which are registered with Tulsa can access capital funding.
The works eligible for capital funding are determined by my Department on an annual basis, having regard to the needs of children, families and service providers, and to Departmental priorities.
There is no specific capital funding available for maintenance or development works in 2021.
It is too early to determine the 2022 capital priorities, but I am aware of the demands on providers, and will consider these in determining the scope of the 2022 capital programme.
I am aware of the service to which the Deputy is referring. I am glad to report that since the Deputy’s previous question regarding this ELC service, they have engaged with my Department’s case management process and are being supported by Pobal and their local County Childcare Committee. This has included financial support in the form of sustainability funding.
With regard to the service referred to by the Deputy, I understand that the service is engaging with Pobal and that the service has a plan in place to secure long-term premises.
