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Early Childhood Care and Education Data

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 13 December 2018

Thursday, 13 December 2018

Ceisteanna (20)

Aindrias Moynihan

Ceist:

20. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the number of new ECCE places created nationally, and specifically in Ballincollig, County Cork, as part of the 2018 early years and school age capital programmes announced in June 2018; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52467/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The results of the 2018 Early Years and School Age Capital programmes were announced in June 2018, with successful applicants entering into contract as soon thereafter as possible.

The budget for the 2018 capital programmes was set at €6.86m, and this was delivered under five strands. These allowed for the creation of new early years places, the creation of new school age places, the essential maintenance and repair of community services and the creation of new natural outdoor play areas in early years services.

As the Deputy may be aware, Early Years Capital funding may be used to create either 0-3 places or ECCE places, while School Age Capital funding may be used to create school age childcare places.

I am pleased to say that this year's funding saw applications approved for the creation of 2,757 new childcare places nationwide. This included the approval of 85 applications for 1,950 new early years places, 697 places for children under 3, and 1,253 ECCE places, and 45 applications for the creation of 807 new school age places.

Pobal has indicated that for Cork county, 4 applications were approved for the creation of 46 new childcare places: 13 ECCE places and 33 school age places. None of these were registered as in Ballincollig.

It should be noted that the capital programmes were particularly competitive this year, and many high quality applications did not ultimately receive an offer of funding. I hope to announce my plans for 2019 capital funding very early in the new year.

Finally, it should be noted that the capital programmes have not yet fully concluded and thus the figures mentioned are provisional, based on approved funding.

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