Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 27 May 2014
1002. Deputy John Lyons asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if funding is available from his Department to install essential wheelchair lifts and accessibility improvements at child care groups (details supplied) in Dublin 11. [22682/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraCapital funding grants to child care services for major developments were discontinued following a review by Government of all capital expenditure in 2009. In 2012 and 2013 capital funding totalling €9 million was secured by my predecessor under two capital programmes to support ongoing improvement of established child care services participating in one or more of the child care support programmes implemented by my Department. Funding totalling €73,872 was approved for the child care service referred to by the Deputy under the 2012 capital programme to provide for the purchase of equipment. The Child care service in question did not submit an application for funding under the 2013 capital programme.
Capital funding of €2.5 million is being provided in 2014 under the Early Years Childcare Capital 2014 programme for maintenance and upgrade of community/not-for-profit child care services. The objective of this funding is to ensure that previously-funded community facilities remain fit-for-purpose, maintain and improve quality, and to make community services more efficient and sustainable through improving the energy rating of these facilities. I understand that an application in respect of heating and insulation projects by this group has been received by Pobal who are administering the programme on behalf of my Department. The funding available to my Department does not allow for further capital grants in the current year.
