Minister Fitzgerald announces €2.75 million capital funding for childcare providers

Frances Fitzgerald TD, Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, has today announced details of the allocation of €2.75 million to support the ongoing improvement of the childcare sector.

Minister Fitzgerald stated: “I am pleased, for the second year in a row, to be in position to provide significant capital funding for the childcare sector. This year’s funding will help to ensure that we continue to improve the quality of early childhood care and education which is of such benefit to our youngest children.”

In 2012, Minister Fitzgerald reintroduced a capital funding scheme for childcare for the first time since 2008.

The 2013 funding scheme covers four strands: small grants to purchase equipment or carry out small maintenance work; grants to improve accessibility of services for children with disabilities,
grants to provide natural outdoor spaces that promote active outdoor play and; grants towards critical works to ensure that buildings are fit for purpose under the childcare regulations (open to community/not for profit services only).

The Minister stated: “I believe that the design of this funding scheme, with four separate strands, will help to ensure that the funding available is directed in a way that delivers the most positive impact for children.”

“I am particularly pleased that funding will be available for the provision of safe outdoor play spaces. I have consistently highlighted the importance of play and recreation in supporting children development and in promoting physical activity, in particular in light of findings from my Department’s ‘Growing Up in Ireland’ survey which indicate the seriousness of childhood obesity in Ireland.”

The Minister added that she was also “pleased that we can support services to ensure that children with disabilities have a better experience within early years settings”.

The scheme will be administered by Pobal on behalf of the Department of Children and Youth Affairs and as in 2012. Full details of the Programme and instructions are available on the Pobal website. Applications must be made online through the Pobal website and can be made up until Tuesday 30th April.