New funding scheme for local childcare providers

Deputy Moran said the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, Dr Katherine Zappone, told him local crèches, community services and other childcare providers can apply for money for new places, maintenance and outdoor play areas.

Minister Zappone has accepted an invitation to attend Longford at the beginning of next month where she will visit a number of local youth and women's projects including LWETB Youthreach Centre; Longford Women’s Link; Springlawn Childcare Group; Longford Co Childcare Committee; Co Longford Youth Service; Westmeath Comhairle na nÓg; Foróige Projects including LEAP (IYJS), and voluntary groups.

The Minister will also launch ‘A Guide to Services for Young People with a Disability’.

She stated that individual childcare centres could receive funding of up to €50,000 under the 2017 Early Years Capital Funding Scheme.

“The Government,” she added, “Has ambitious plans to change childcare in Longford/Westmeath and throughout the country.

“We must move from having one of the most expensive services in the world to having the best.

“However in order to achieve this goal we must continue to build up the infrastructure, in particular in those communities with young populations.

This funding is another step towards achieving our goal.”

Longford/Westmeath providers can receive up to €50,000 under this scheme for major expansions.

€20,000 is available to community based services for maintenance and grants of up to €5,000 are available for play areas.

This fund is in addition to €3m announced earlier in March to support those services for children of school-going age.