Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 24 September 2024
392. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will provide funding or provide details on funding options for an organisation (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37871/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department works with Pobal and local City/County Childcare Committee’s (CCC) to offer case management support to services in difficulty. Through this process, services may also access Sustainability Funding following an assessment of need.
A strand of emergency capital for fit-out/renovation of premises or necessary maintenance has been developed by my Department under Sustainability Funding. The purpose of this funding will be to support the completion of essential/emergency capital works in Community Early Learning and Care (ELC) and School Age Childcare (SAC) settings that are Core Funding Partner Services. Eligible services will be those that are unable to afford the costs of remedial works necessary to ensure the service meets its regulatory requirements and/or remains financially viable in the long term. The service will submit a rationale for the need, provide evidence of need, and prove eligibility for the funding. It is anticipated that this capital funding will be used to provide support to eligible service providers that are unable to afford the costs of essential remedial works. This includes critical fire safety works and emergency capital projects, both internal and external. Assess to this funding is through the Case Management process.
