Children and Youth Affairs

New €5 million fund for local childcare providers – Doyle

Andrew 2015, Children and Youth Affairs, Wicklow - East Carlow

Early-TalkFine Gael TD for Wicklow-East Carlow, Andrew Doyle has called on local community and not for profit childcare providers in Wicklow to apply for new funding from the Department of Children and Youth Affairs. The Early Years Capital Programme will make €5 million to local childcare service providers.

“This new scheme demonstrates the on-going commitment of this Government to developing quality childcare provision in Ireland. This funding, provided in grants, will support significant upgrades of community and not-for-profit childcare services, such as refurbishment or relocation to new premises.

“Also under this strand of funding, grants of up to €50,000 will be available for essential maintenance, or works undertaken to improve the energy performance of childcare facilities.

“Further information on the EYC2015 programme and information on how to make an application can be found on the Pobal website at www.pobal.ie Applications for funding can be made from the 29th April.

“These local childcare facilities provide a vital local service and it is great to see extra support being made available to them.”

Ends

34 schools across Wicklow & Carlow to benefit from summer works scheme – Doyle

Andrew Agriculture, Children and Youth Affairs, Wicklow - East Carlow

Class“Improvements to school buildings will make a big difference in ensuring pupils are comfortable and safe while at school”, says Fine Gael Andrew Doyle TD for Wicklow/East Carlow. Doyle was speaking after the Minister for Education, Jan O’Sullivan TD, announced a €36 million investment in 559 schools across the country as part of the Summer Works Scheme in 2015.

“In Counties Wicklow & Carlow, a total of 34 primary and post primary schools are set to receive state funding under the Summer Works Scheme. This is great news for children, parents and teachers rights across Wicklow and Carlow.

“The funding is to be used for improvements to the external environment of the schools, structural improvements, window repairs and curricular requirements.

“Some of the schools set to benefit include Nuns Cross NS Ashford, Rathdrum Boys NS and East Glendalough CS, St Marys College Arklow, Avondale CC and Dominican College Wicklow.

“It is important that we invest in our children’s education and this means looking after their environment as well as the curriculum. Children should be learning in surroundings that are comfortable, safe and fit for purpose.

“Injecting capital such as this into our school system also allows for greater job creation locally as we see the works on the schools get underway. The construction sector in both Wicklow &Carlow has been very badly hit during the recession so the Summer Works Scheme for schools is no doubt very welcome for local builders.

“In 2015, the Department of Education will invest more than €450 million in school infrastructure. I am delighted we are taking the opportunity presented by the economic recovery to invest in our children’s education and welfare.”