Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 26 May 2022
296. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the amount of funding that was allocated to the childcare services re-opening grants; and the amount of this allocation that was drawn down to mitigate the impact of Covid-19 for 2021 and 2022, in tabular form. [27056/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn June 2020, my Department provided a Covid-19 Capital Grant with a budget of €14.2 million and a Reopening Support Payment with a budget of €18 million to facilitate the reopening of early learning and childcare facilities from 29 June 2020 following the Covid-19 related closures.
The purpose of the Covid-19 Capital Grant was to contribute towards the capital costs associated with the reopening of services to ensure compliance with the government’s Public Health Advice and Covid-19 Infection Prevention and Control Guidance.
The Reopening Support Payment assisted providers with operational costs, such as additional staffing costs, training, additional learning resources and hygiene and cleaning consumables.
There were 3,815 services paid €13.16 million under the Reopening Support Payment and 4,035 services paid €12.675 million under the Covid-19 Capital grant.
All funding under the Reopening Support Payment and the Covid-19 Capital Grant was paid in the calendar year 2020.
