Leas Cheann Comhairle Deputy John McGuinness is delighted to announce the funding provided by Minister Norma Foley, who serves as the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth.
Deputy McGuinness believes this funding is very much needed and will greatly benefit each of the communities that will receive it.
€25 million Building Blocks fund, which aims to create 1,500 new childcare places. The funding will support:-
- a) extensions to existing community and private early learning and childcare services and
- b) the development of new buildings for these services.
The following funding allocations have been made for Kilkenny:
* Oasis Kilkenny – €500,000
* Urlingford Community Centre – €226,000
For Carlow, the following funding has been allocated:
* Rathoe Child Community care – €600,000
* Askea community care – €750,000
Minister Foley said:
“I am very pleased to approve the shortlisting of these services under the Building Blocks Extension Scheme. These projects will deliver 1,500 quality, affordable places for children in areas where they are needed most, which is a key priority of the Government. It will be a huge boost for parents in these areas.”
“I absolutely recognise that we need to go further to support parents, educators, practitioners and providers across the early learning and childcare sector, with the focus always on ensuring positive
experiences for children. I will be developing an action plan to set out the important next steps that build on the very positive foundations we now have in place.”
The Building Blocks Extension Scheme funds additional places through four categories
- extensions to existing premises for private early learning and childcare services
- extensions to existing premises for community early learning and childcare services
- purchase of new premises for community early learning and childcare services
- construction of new premises for community early learning and childcare services
Minister Foley may launch Building Blocks scheme next year, pending budget approval.
