The purpose of the Building Blocks Extension Grant Scheme is to deliver additional capacity in the sector by supporting existing early learning and childcare services to undertake physical extensions to existing premises, or to purchase or construct new premises. The scheme is open to Core Funding partner services only.
The scheme has four strands:
– Extensions to existing premises for private services
– Extensions to existing premises for community services
– Purchase of new premises for community services
– Construction of new premises for community services
Who can apply?
- Services must currently be a Core Funding Partner Service and must commit to continuing to operate as a Partner Service for the equivalent duration of the charge, as set out in S4.3 below. Specifically in respect of fees, the Building Blocks scheme eligibility rules will determine the maximum fee that can be charged by the service at the point of time of application for the capital funding. Thereafter, Core Funding rules and contractual conditions will determine how any changes to fees can be made
- Services who are going to offer additional full-time places for 1-3 year olds
- Services who commit to opening for a minimum of 46 weeks per year
- Services who own their premises or with at least 20 years remaining on the lease on the date of final payment of the grant
- Services who confirm that the fees that they charge (on the opening date for applications) for places do not exceed the maximum fee threshold for the relevant care type:
The maximum fee threshold for full time care is €295 per week
The maximum fee threshold for part time care is €190 per week
Note – Private providers who have multiple services can submit only one application. Community providers who have multiple services are not limited to one application. Community services may submit applications under each of the three strands. They may also make multiple applications under individual strands.
Who cannot apply?
- Services based in private residential dwellings
- Childminders
- Drop-in centres
- Services in leased premises who have less than 20 years remaining
- Services who are in receipt of funding under Building Blocks Expansion Grant
For more info and how to apply see: https://bit.ly/3V97Yt2
