Childcare providers to be granted €250,000 to help with new needs

By Mary Dennehy

FUNDING of €250,000 is on route to 40 childcare services in South Dublin County as part of a €6.5m national package to support childcare providers in meeting the demand of a second free pre-school year, The Echo can reveal.

The introduction of a second free pre-school year, which will see the number of free weeks offered to families increase from 38 to 61, has been welcomed in principle for the many parents struggling to meet childcare costs.

However, in recent months, concerns have been raised by childcare providers over the lack of places for an additional 60,000 children who will be enrolled in the ECCE (Early Childhood Care and Education) scheme by April 2017 – with many providers not in a position to expand their facilities to meet this extra demand.

However, The Echo has learned that €6.5m in capital funding will be announced this Friday, July 8, by the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, Katherine Zappone TD to “ensure sufficient capacity” in the sector to cater for these children.

As part of the national package, Minister Zappone confirmed to The Echo that €250,000 is being provided to 40 local childcare providers to support them in meeting the demand when the free childcare scheme is extended from September.

Grants of up to €10,000 are being provided to childcare providers for refurbishments, minor building alterations and additional play equipment.

The Independent Minister explained how the 40 childcare providers successful in securing funding locally have been selected from across the areas of community, not-for-profit and private services – with every community in South Dublin County covered.

Minister Zappone said: “From September we will see the biggest expansion of free childcare places since the scheme was established.

“Families in Tallaght and across the South County Dublin area will see the number of free weeks they are entitled to increase from an average of 38 to 61, with children entering pre-school from the age of three.

“This funding [of €250,000] is to ensure that providers are in a position to meet expected demand, with the money intended to go towards building work, refurbishment and additional play equipment.”

She added: “The volunteers, staff and managers in the childcare sector have transformed home-life for many local families by providing opportunities for children to learn and grow, while at the same-time giving some time and space to parents.

“The fact that 96 per cent of children in our communities avail of the pre-school service underlines its value to families.

“I am delighted that so many high quality applications were received under this scheme, and that the majority of applications can now be approved for drawdown of funding.

“I look forward to working with the sector to deliver further improvements in childcare quality, availability and affordability over the coming year.”