Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 20 October 2022
286. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the reason that childminders who have a service reference number for their premises are Tusla registered and have an active NCS or ECCE contract, are excluded from applying for a building blocks improvement grant; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52486/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraLast month, I was pleased to announce a €10m Capital Grant for the Early Learning and Childcare Sector. The Building Blocks - Improvement Grant is part of a wider Building Blocks Capital Programme for Early Learning and Childcare under the National Development Plan.
Grants will range from €35,000 to €75,000 across two separate strands: Green Energy and Retrofit.
The Green Energy Strand/Strand A will support the Climate Action Agenda and the Programme for Government, which aim to transition to a carbon neutral economy by the end of 2050 and to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 51% by 2030.
Services that sign up for the Core Funding Scheme are eligible for funding under for the Building Blocks - Capital Programme. Applications from eligible services will be accepted in Q4 2022 and successful applicants will be notified in early 2023.
The grant scheme is part of a wider Building Blocks Capital Programme designed to meet current and long-term Early Learning and Childcare infrastructure needs – with details of a €45m Building Blocks - Capacity Grant and a €15m Building Blocks - Innovation Grant to be announced in the coming months.
Unfortunately, at this present time the grant is not available to Childminders. Given the limited resources available under Building Blocks - Improvement Grant, my Department has prioritised centre-based childcare facilities.
There may be an opportunity in the future to avail of Capital Grants. My Department advises services to contact their local County Childcare Committees, who will provide information on any future capital scheme.
