€7m for early years services

Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, Dr James Reilly has launched capital funding totalling €7 million for early years services.

The Minister announced that €5 million was being made available for grants specifically for community/not for profit childcare services.This funding will provide grant aid, in the region of €500,000, for significant upgrades of community and not-for-profit childcare services, such as major refurbishment or relocation to new premises. Also under this strand of funding, grants of up to €50,000 will be available for essential maintenance, or works undertaken to improve the energy performance of childcare facilities.

The Minister stated,”I am committed to securing the sustainability of community and not for profit childcare services, particularly in disadvantaged areas. There is clear evidence that, while all children
benefit from access to quality early years provision, those from disadvantaged backgrounds benefit to the greatest extent.”

The remaining €2 million in capital funding is being made available for both private and community childcare facilities to access grants of up to €500 for quality improvement measures, specifically in the area of upgrading IT facilities.

Applications for funding can be made from April 29.