Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 12 July 2022
656. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if providers that want to purchase, lease or rent the creche and childcare facilities required in housing developments as part of Guidelines for Planning Authorities on Childcare Facilities under section 28 of the Planning and Development Act 2000 have access to any affordability schemes nationally or locally. [37642/22]
View answerDuring 2021, €70m was secured in the revised National Development Plan (NDP) allocation for ELC and SAC. 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 / Innovation Initiatives.
Some €10m will be made available in 2023 for a Pillar 1 - Modernisation. The purpose of scheme will be to improve energy efficiency standards across the sector, while also supporting the continuous improvement of the physical environment of services for children in Early Learning and School Age Childcare settings. Further information on this scheme and the application process will be communicated to the sector in the coming months.
Pillar 1 - Building Blocks- Modernisation Grant 2023 is the first of three NDP capital scheme “Pillars” for the early learning and childcare sector. Pillars 2 and 3 will operate from 2024 onwards, as follows:
Pillar 2 - Building Blocks Capacity grant (€45m) – will address the capacity gaps, expanding existing provisions where possible and investing in the development of new provision where most needed;
Pillar 3 - Building Blocks Innovation grant (€15m) – piloting a range of innovative initiatives and ideas for the Early Learning & Care Services (ELC) and School Age Childcare Services (SAC) sector such as piloting ELC/SAC outdoor provision, piloting meal provision in ELC services.
