Dr James Reilly TD, Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, has today announced that €2.5 million in capital funding has been allocated to 163 grantees. The 2014 Early Years Capital programme was open to community not-for-profit services, reflecting the Minister’s commitment to securing the sustainability of community services, particularly in disadvantaged areas.
“Many community childcare facilities were built with State investment but are now over ten years old, with issues emerging in terms of repair, maintenance and upgrade. These must now be addressed to ensure that childcare services can continue to be provided in appropriate and safe facilities.
“The grants awarded today will provide for essential repairs, maintenance or refurbishment and improved energy ratings in facilities that met the criteria of this scheme. Priority was given to areas of economic disadvantage, and the improvements to community childcare facilities will be a welcome boost for many communities. I know parents and providers, in particular, will welcome this scheme.
“This programme of works will take place alongside the very significant work currently being undertaken by my Department to deliver on the Early Years Quality Agenda. The quality agenda is receiving priority attention in my Department and provides an overdue recognition of the importance of promoting quality in early years settings.”
Minister Reilly added “I would like to thank all of those who took the time to apply for funding under this programme, and also to thank Pobal for their significant effort in managing the applications efficiently and effectively.”
A list of the successful applicants is attached.
In addition to the capital funding associated with today's approvals a further €5 million has been made available to the Department of Children and Youth Affairs in the current year under the Phase 4 Infrastructure Stimulus which is being introduced by the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform. With regard to this funding the Minister said “I am currently considering the best options for the use of this additional funding and will be making further announcements in due course”.
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Notes for Editors:
Applications for grants were invited under two funding strands:
Strand 1 Grants of up to €50,000 for essential repairs, maintenance or refurbishment
Strand 2 Grants of up to €50,000 for works to improve the facility’s energy rating
The programme was implemented by Pobal on behalf of the Department of Children and Youth Affairs. The application process was managed online.
221 applications for funding were received online. The applications were appraised by Pobal to find those that most closely and completely met the criteria and objectives of the programme, with particular consideration given to additional supporting material and the level of deprivation of the areas according to the Pobal Haase index*
163 applicants (or 74% of the total applicants) were successful and Pobal will now proceed to agree contracts with the grantees. Pobal will also provide unsuccessful applicants with information to assist them in understanding the reason for the outcome of their application.
*In simple terms, the Pobal HP Deprivation Index is a method of measuring the relative affluence or disadvantage of a particular geographical area using data compiled from various censuses. A scoring is given to the area based on a national average of zero and ranging from approximately -35 (being the most disadvantaged) to +35 (being the most affluent). In addition to this, percentage data for the area is given under the following categories:
- Population Change
- Age Dependency Ratio
- Lone Parent Ratio
- Primary Education Only
- Third Level Education
- Unemployment Rate (male and female)
- Proportion living in Local Authority Rented Housing