Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 26 April 2022
1124. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he plans to open a round of early learning and care and school-age capital funding in 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19923/22]
View answerThe works eligible for capital funding are determined by my Department on an annual basis, having regard to the needs of children, families and providers, and to Departmental priorities.
During 2021, my Department successfully secured €70m in the revised National Development Plan (NDP) allocation. This will enable significant capital investment in early learning and childcare during 2023-2025. Investment under the NDP will consist of three pillars: Modernisation, New Capacity and First 5 Initiatives. Further information on the Department’s NDP allocation and the application process will be communicated to the sector in the near future.
Capital funding has been reduced in 2022 to €0.5m as my Department focusses on the preparation of distribution of NDP funding from 2023 onwards. This will include setting eligibility criteria, designing and developing the application process, and establishing approval criteria. This 2022 allocation is for Childminding and Parent and Toddler Groups, who maintain 2021 allocations. In addition, my Department has secured some €750k of unspent 2021 capital funding which will be carried into 2022. This a targeted approach commencing with non-for-profit services that have been informed they must resolve fire safety compliance issues in order to complete their re-registration with Tusla. Eligibility for funding will be dependent on a financial assessment of need. CCCs are currently making contact with these services at local level.
