Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 10 October 2023
450. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth further to Parliamentary Question No.249 of 28 September 2023, if further funding will be available under Pillar 1 Building Blocks - Improvement Grants in 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44002/23]
View answerSome €69 million has been allocated over the period 2023-2025 to the early learning and childcare sector under the revised National Development Plan (NDP). This will enable significant capital investment in early learning and childcare across three pillars:
Building Blocks - Improvement Grant;
Building Blocks - Capacity Grant; and
Building Blocks - Innovation Grant.
Under the Building Blocks - Improvement Grant, €9 million was allocated earlier this year in grants ranging from €35,000 to €75,000 for energy upgrades and retrofit projects, which has supported services in need of upgrading, such as kitchen refurbishments, roof repairs and the replacement of flooring. This scheme is now closed and my Department does not have further funding available in either 2023 or 2024 under the Building Blocks - Improvement Grant.
Work is currently underway on the design and delivery of Pillars 2 and 3, which have a combined allocation of €20 million in 2024 and €40 million in 2025.
Pillar 2, the Building Blocks – Capacity Grant, will fund an expansion of existing services in areas of undersupply. Funding will also be provided to support the development of new services, where most needed. Pillar 3, the Building Blocks – Innovation Grant will pilot a range of innovative initiatives such as outdoor early learning and childcare services. Details on the Building Blocks - Capacity Grant scheme are due to be announced shortly.
