merrion street

‘Play areas, extra places and maintenance to be supported’

Applications open 12th February – 9th March 2018

Dr. Katherine Zappone T.D., Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, has today announced the publication of application guidelines for the 2018 Early Years and School Age Childcare Capital programmes. These guidelines are to assist providers in making their applications, including a detailed breakdown of funding streams and information on how to apply. This follows the general announcements of programme details made in 2017.

The Early Years and School Age Capital programmes will open for applications from Monday February 12th and close on Friday March 9th. Further information on the programmes and information on how to make an application is available to providers through the Pobal Programmes Implementation Platform (PIP). In addition, providers interested in making an application are encouraged to contact their local City/Country Childcare Committee (CCC) for advice and support.

In order to streamline the application process, early years and school age childcare providers will apply for funding using a single application form on PIP.

Extensive details of the below strands of funding are also included in the guidelines released today:

· Strand 1: Early Years Expansion/New
· Strand 2: Early Years Essential Building Maintenance   (Community services only)

· Strand 3: Early Years Natural Outdoor Play Area

· Strand 4: School Age Expansion/New

· Strand 5: School Age Essential Building Maintenance & Quality  (Community services only)

The timeline for the Early Years and School Age Capital 2018 programmes is as follows:

                           Actions | Key Dates
---------------------------------+--------------------------------------------
Application Guidelines     | 31st January 2018
---------------------------------+--------------------------------------------
Go live date for applications | 12th February 2018
---------------------------------+--------------------------------------------
Closing date for applications | 9th March 2018
---------------------------------+--------------------------------------------
 Appraisals                       | March-April 2018
---------------------------------+--------------------------------------------
Decisions                         | May 2018
---------------------------------+--------------------------------------------
Notification of Outcomes | Issued by end of May 2018