Niall Collins
Question:187. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the outcome of an appeal (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25219/23]
View answerWednesday, 24 May 2023
Questions (187)
Written answers
My Department has allocated €9m in 2023 for The Building Blocks - Improvement Grant for Early Learning and Care (ELC) and School Age Childcare (SAC) facilities. Grants range from €35,000 to €75,000 across two separate strands: Green Energy and Retrofit.
Services that signed up for the Core Funding Scheme were eligible for funding under the scheme.
Overall, 946 services submitted applications, out of a total eligible cohort of 4,200 services, which have signed up to Core Funding.
Pobal, who are administering the scheme on my Department's behalf advise that applicants were advised of the outcome of the appraisal process on 4th April 2023. At this point, all unsuccessful applicants to the scheme were eligible to submit an appeal, in line with the applicant guidelines. Further guidance was also provided to all unsuccessful applicants, detailing a step by step guide for appeals.
The Building Blocks – Improvement Grant appeal window closed on Tuesday 18 April, 2023. All appeals remain under consideration at this time, with decisions to be communicated by 31 May, 2023.