Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 18 January 2023
969. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the status of a buildings block grant for a school (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63855/22]
View answerMy Department was allocated €70m in the National Development Plan allocation. This will enable significant capital investment in early learning and childcare across three pillars: Building Blocks - Improvement Grant, Building Blocks - Capacity Grant and a Building Blocks - Innovation Grant.
My Department has allocated €9m for The Building Blocks - Improvement Grant for Early Learning and Care (ELC) and School Age Childcare (SAC) facilities.
Grants will range from €35,000 to €75,000 across two separate strands: Green Energy and Retrofit. The Green Energy Strand will support the Climate Action Agenda and the Programme for Government, which aim to transition to a carbon neutral economy by the end of 2050 and to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 51% by 2030.
Services that sign up for the Core Funding Scheme are eligible for funding under for the Building Blocks – Improvement Grant. The closing date for this capital grant scheme was 16th December last.
Pobal are now appraising applications received and I am advised that successful applicants will be notified in March.
