Fine Gael Wicklow TD, Andrew Doyle has welcomed the announcement by Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, Dr James Reilly TD, that €27,081 will be awarded to Wicklow childcare facilities through the 2014 Early Years Capital programme.
Deputy Doyle said, “Many community childcare facilities were built with State investment but are now over ten years old, with issues emerging in terms of repair, maintenance and upgrade. These must now be addressed to ensure that childcare services can continue to be provided in appropriate and safe facilities. The grants have been awarded to community and not-for-profit childcare services that applied for funding under the Early Years Capital programme. This funding will be used for repair and maintenance works, and to upgrade current facilities.
“Wicklow Donard/Glen Community Playgroup, Wicklow Dunlavin Community Playgroup and Bray Women’s Refuge Housing Association have benefited from the funding announced today. This money will prove very beneficial to local families whose children have been using these facilities.
“The grants awarded today will be used for essential repairs, refurbishment and improving energy ratings. Priority was given to areas of economic disadvantage; places most in need of assistance. This is very good news for parents and childcare providers in Wicklow.
“High quality childcare facilities are hugely important to parents. It makes a massive difference to know that when you are at work, your children are being cared for in an environment that is safe, clean and fit-for-purpose, highlighting the Government’s commitment to supporting sustainable community services across the country.
“As one of the important Government’s priorities for the remainder of the current Dáil term is to introduce measures to assist low income families by improving the system of child income support such as the Community Employment Childcare (CEC) programme, announced last week to assist people trying to get back to work and those in training programmes”, concluded Deputy Doyle.