Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 20 February 2024
507. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth when grants will be available for childcare providers to extend their premises; the details of the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7934/24]
Amharc ar fhreagra€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:
• Building Blocks - Improvement Grant;
• Building Blocks - Capacity Grant; and
• Building Blocks - Innovation Grant.
Some €45 million has been set aside for early learning and childcare capital projects over 2024 and 2025. On 7th December last, I announced details of the Building Blocks - Capacity Grant scheme, to be operated over 2024 and 2025, which is aimed at addressing capacity gaps by expanding existing provision through internal renovations and extensions where most needed. Funding will be split into two strands.
The Building Blocks Expansion Grant Scheme is due to open for applications in the coming weeks. The scheme will provide grants for the renovation or reconfiguration of existing Early Learning and Care facilities. Applicant Guidelines will be provided this month, outlining the rules and requirements of the scheme along with the eligibility criteria and a further Press Release will issue announcing the opening of the application process.
Further details of the Building Blocks Extension Grant Scheme will be announced later this year. This strand will provide grants for larger scale extension projects.
In the case of both the Expansion Grant Scheme and the Extension Grant Scheme, priority will be given to the extension of full-time and part-time places within the 1 - 3-year-old (pre-ECCE) age groups, within areas of identified undersupply. Both schemes will be open to early learning and childcare services that are Tusla registered and are in contract with Core Funding, at the time of application.
