Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 30 November 2023
453. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth for an update on the granting of an extension for a childcare service (details supplied) under the building blocks improvement scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52932/23]
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 has been allocated in 2023 for energy upgrades and retrofit projects. Retrofit projects have included supporting services in carrying out larger scale renovations to their premises.
This scheme is now closed and all grant recipients are contractually obliged to complete works and submit expenditure returns by 31st December 2023.
Pobal are administering the Building Blocks - Improvement Grant Scheme on behalf of my Department. Pobal is working with officials in my Department in relation to the request from the service referred to by the Deputy. I am advised that the service will be notified out the outcome of this process in the coming weeks.
