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Childcare Services

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 27 May 2021

Thursday, 27 May 2021

Ceisteanna (33)

Brendan Smith

Ceist:

33. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the level of capital grant assistance available towards the upgrading of existing childcare facilities and the provision of new childcare places; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28569/21]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

My Department has, since 2015, administered an annual capital funding programme, under which early learning and childcare services that are registered with Tulsa can access capital funding.

The works eligible for capital funding are determined by my Department on an annual basis, having regard to the needs of children, families and service providers, and to Departmental priorities.

In recent years, a key objective of the capital programmes has been to expand capacity in early learning and childcare services. Covid-19 and new blended working patterns has reduced demand for some early learning and childcare services, and I recognise that this may not be a permanent change, the provision of new childcare places is not a current priority.

The upgrading of the fire safety measures in place in existing early learning and childcare services is the key objective of the 2021 Capital Programme, which is worth a total of €10.5 million.

The first tranche of capital grants were assigned on 21 May to existing services to improving fire safety standards. Service providers were invited to apply for funding to carry out remedial works, with a total of €5 million of the €10.5 million budget being claimed by 634 services. These works will permit these services to fully comply with the Tulsa's registration requirements. Services received funding under this capital programme on 23 May 2021.

The remaining capital funding of €5.5million will be shared between all registered early learning and childcare services to enable them to encourage more outdoor play. Eligible expenditure will include shelters and play equipment. Outdoor play enables children to explore and engage with the natural world, while being a simple and effective method of infection control. I will be announcing more details of this capital grant programme next week.

I will keep the demand for additional capacity under review as the year proceeds.

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