Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 21 February 2023
517. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if his attention has been drawn to reports detailing serious structural concerns and required upgrades to a school (details supplied); the way that management of the facility can seek funding to carry out this work; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8799/23]
View answerMy Department successfully secured €69 million under the revised National Development Plan (NDP) allocation for the Building Blocks Capital Programme, designed to meet current and long-term Early Learning and Childcare infrastructure needs.
The Building Blocks Capital Programme includes three Pillars:
- €9m Building Blocks - Improvement Grant
- €45m Building Blocks - Capacity Grant
- €15m 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 is now in the process of finalising the appraisal of applications received. There was a very significant number of applications received and my Department has been advised that applicants should be notified of the outcome in late March.
The Building Blocks - Improvement Grant is part of a wider Building Blocks Capital Programme for Early Learning and Childcare under the National Development Plan. Details of the Building Blocks - Capacity Grant and Building Blocks - Innovation Grant will be announced in the coming months. I would encourage the service mentioned by the Deputy to contact its local County Childcare Committee, which will be in a position to advise them of any funding available.
