Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 24 October 2023
473. Deputy Denise Mitchell asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if Pillar 1 of the building blocks grant scheme, namely improvement grants, will open for submissions in 2024; and if so, when it is expected that the acceptance of applications in this regard will commence. [46249/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraSome €69 million has been allocated over the period 2023-2025 to the early learning and childcare sector under the revised National Development Plan (NDP). This will enable significant capital investment in early learning and childcare across three pillars
1 Building Blocks - Improvement Grant;
2. Building Blocks - Capacity Grant; and
3. Building Blocks - Innovation Grant.
Under the Building Blocks - Improvement Grant, €9 million was allocated earlier this year in grants ranging from €35,000 to €75,000 for energy upgrades and retrofit projects, which supported services in need of upgrading, such as kitchen refurbishments, roof repairs and the replacement of flooring. This pillar is now closed.
Work is currently under way on the design and delivery of Pillars 2 and 3, which have a combined allocation of €20 million in 2024 and €40 million in 2025.
The Building Blocks – Capacity Grant will fund an expansion of existing services in areas of undersupply. Funding will also be provided to support the development of new services, where most needed. The Building Blocks – Innovation Grant will pilot a range of innovative initiatives such as outdoor early learning and childcare services.
I hope to be in a position to announce details of the Building Blocks – Capacity Grant scheme, including time-frames, in the coming weeks.
