Applications open for €6m in Childcare Capital funding. Funding for creation of extra places and fire safety

Monday 25th February 2019

The Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, Dr Katherine Zappone is announcing the opening of applications for the 2019 Early Learning and Care and School Age Capital programmes starting today, Monday 25th February. 

Applications for over €6m in funding can be made through the Programmes Implementation Platform (PIP).

Applications will remain open up to Wednesday 27th March 2019 at 3pm.

Decisions are expected to be delivered in June 2019.

The available strands of funding are as follows:

Strand A:  Creation of new places for 0-3 year olds – €4.231m (max. €50,000 per grant).

Strand B:  Fire Safety for community early learning and care services – €0.875m (max. €15,000 per grant).

Strand C:  Creation of new school age places – €1m (max. €20,000 per grant).

Both early learning and care and school age childcare providers are invited to apply.

Making the announcement Minister Zappone said,

 “This is a huge year for childcare and early learning. The preparations we have put in place with a 117% increase in Government investment since 2015 will pave the way for the Affordable Childcare Scheme later this year.
Providers together with parents have a key role to play.

This capital funding will allow them to add extra spaces and improve quality. It will be followed by a second strand of capital funding when the new scheme starts.

I look forward to giving significant updates on the roll out of the new scheme in the coming weeks.”

Any interested parties are encouraged to contact their local City/County Childcare Committee (CCC) with any questions they may have about the process.

 

See the full announcement on the DCYA Website.