Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 27 April 2023
340. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he can clarify the reason an application for the building blocks grant from (details supplied) was rejected; if such service providers have any right to appeal such decision; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20132/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department has allocated €9m in 2023 for The Building Blocks - Improvement Grant for Early Learning and Care (ELC) and School Age Childcare (SAC) facilities. Grants range from €35,000 to €75,000 across two separate strands: Green Energy and Retrofit.
Services that signed up for the Core Funding Scheme were eligible for funding under the scheme.
Overall, 946 services submitted applications, out of a total eligible cohort of 4,200 services, which have signed up to Core Funding.
Pobal, who are administering the scheme on my Department's behalf advise that an application to the Building Blocks - Improvement Grant was submitted by Treasure Tots Nursery, applying for supports under Strand B - Retrofit, for costs associated with retrofit and accessibility of an existing building. Pobal further advise that the application did not meet a number of the scheme criteria.
Following appraisal, an unsuccessful decision was communicated to the applicant. At this point, all unsuccessful applicants to the Building Blocks – Improvement Grant were eligible to submit an appeal, in line with the applicant guidelines. Further guidance was also provided to all unsuccessful applicants, detailing a step by step guide for appeals. All appeals were eligible to be submitted on or before the closing date of 18th April, 2023, with the applicant submitting an appeal on 17th April, 2023. The applicant's appeal is currently under review and Pobal hope to respond to the applicant with an appeal outcome shortly.
