Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 30 March 2023
37. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if it is proposed to introduce a grant scheme to assist in the provision of large-scale pre-school accommodation and the upgrading of existing accommodation, as existing grant levels will not be sufficient to ensure adequate childcare accommodation in the coming years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15755/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department successfully secured €70 million under the revised National Development Plan allocation for the Building Blocks Capital Programme.
The Building Blocks Capital Programme includes three Pillars:
- An Improvement Grant to improve energy efficiency standards, while also supporting the continuous improvement of the physical environment of services. The closing date for this scheme, the Building Blocks Improvement Grant, was 16th December last and applicants will be advised of the outcome in the coming weeks,
- A Capacity Grant to address capacity gaps, by funding an expansion in existing services and investing in the development of new services where most needed,
- An Innovation Grant to pilot a range of innovative initiatives such as outdoor early learning and childcare services.
Work is underway in the design and delivery of the Capacity and the Innovation Grant schemes. These schemes will be designed to meet current and long-term Early Learning and Childcare infrastructure needs. I hope to announce details of these schemes later this year.
