Over €5 million for Cavan Monaghan childcare facilities

Funding of over two million euro has been announced for four childcare facilities in Cavan to provide additional childcare places.

Early learning and childcare facilities across Cavan received €2.25 million under the Building Block Extension Scheme, which was approved today by the Minister for Children Norma Foley.

There are 131 childcare spaces to be delivered in Cavan for 0-3 year olds as a result of the funding.

Meanwhile in Monaghan, €3,084,209 has been allocated to six facilities there.

In the Breffni county, the highest allocation of €750,000 went to Krafty Kidz Ballyconnell under the description of community purchasing. There are 40 spaces for 0–3-year-olds to be delivered as a result.

Also in the county, Ballymachugh Childcare Group, Shercock Child Resource Centre and Ballyjamesduff Community Créche received a sum of €500,000 each for community extensions.

In Monaghan, a sum of €750,000 was allocated to Knockatallon Community Childcare and Ardaghey Community Childcare respectively for community construction.

Clones Community Childcare received €366, 382 under the description of community extension; while Newbliss Childcare Services Ltd received €500,000.

Carrickroe Community Childcare was awarded €647, 251 for community construction, with Inis Óg Childcare Inniskeen receiving an amount of €70, 576 under the private extension strand of the funding.

It is expected that the projects will commence in the coming months, with many of the additional places coming on stream towards the end of the year.

Speaking on the announcement of the funding, Deputy Brendan Smith (FF) stated that it will "greatly assist" both private and community childcare providers to deliver additional capacity through the provision of extensions to an existing facility and by purchasing new accommodation.

"I have been highlighting the need for this grant aid to be increased and I am very glad that Minister Foley has provided such funding to enable the expansion of childcare services," he said.

Deputy Smith stated that there is "increasing demand" for childcare spaces.

"It is essential that both private and community childcare services are supported to develop and expand."

He congratulated the "successful applicants" and wished them "well" with their projects.

Minister of State Niamh Smyth (FF) said: "I want to congratulate the groups who have received this substantial funding today in order to help them advance in the respective areas in the provision of early learning and childcare services."

"As part of the application process, all early learning and childcare services were required to deliver net increases in full-time places for one to three-year-olds in order to qualify for Building Blocks funding.

"It will be a huge boost for parents in these areas,” she stated.

She described the announcement as a "small step" to support parents, educators, practitioners and providers across the country.

"The Minister is developing an action plan to set out the important next steps that will build positive foundations we now have in place," she concluded.

Fine Gael Senator Joe O'Reilly was also delighted with the allocations.

He stated: “Having access to affordable, high quality, flexible childcare is crucial for families in Cavan, to support families to balance work and care responsibilities.

"This funding will help childcare providers continue to carry out their excellent services."