Early Years service boost

MINISTER for Children and Youth Affairs, Dr James Reilly, has announced the launch of capital funding totalling

?¬7 million for Early Years services.

A total of

?¬5 million is 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 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.

Minister Reilly said he was happy to be a position to announce the new funding scheme.

“This demonstrates the ongoing commitment of this Government to developing quality childcare provision in Ireland,

? he said.

Applications for funding can be made from April 29.