Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 22 March 2016
270. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs when he will make the next round of capital funding available for applications from community child care facilities to build new centres such as one in County Kerry (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5014/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraCapital funding of more than €420 million was provided by the State to support the development of childcare infrastructure in the period up until 2008. The greater proportion of this funding was allocated for the development of community childcare services throughout the country. Since the economic downturn the limited funding available to this Department has been targeted to support the refurbishment and maintenance of childcare facilities in which there has already considerable investment.
I announced the introduction of an Early Years Capital Programme 2016 with total funding of €4 million available. This funding is targeted at early years pre-school providers that are making alterations to their services to accommodate the increased numbers of children eligible for the free pre-school provision following my decision to expand the Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) programme. The number of children availing of the programme will increase from approximately 67,000 per year to 127,000 per year following the full roll out of the expanded pre-school provision.
The maximum grant available under the programme is €10,000 and full information and application details will be available shortly. I am aware that this funding would not be sufficient for the purchase or development of new childcare facilities but there is no other capital funding available to the Department at this time.
