Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 9 September 2021
791. Deputy Mary Butler asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the potential funding streams within his Department, Pobal or by alternative means to support the establishment of a pre-school for ECCE classes as outlined in correspondence (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43197/21]
View answerMy Department administers an annual capital funding programme, under which early learning and care and school aged childcare services which are registered with Tulsa can access capital funding.
The purpose or target of the funding is determined on an annual basis having regard to the needs of children, families and service providers and Departmental priorities.
There is no specific capital funding available for development works in 2021.
However, there are a number of supports which childcare providers, and intending childcare providers, can access.
My Department funds City and County Childcare Committees (CCCs) who offer a wide variety of supports to parents and childcare providers, including advice on setting up a childcare business, information on grants and low cost local enterprise loans which may be available to services, as well as commercial borrowing. The CCC’s also offer support on applying for the various funding schemes administered by my Department. Contact details for all of the CCCs are available at myccc.ie.
