“Over €1,000,000 Boost for Childcare Places in Meath West” – Deputy Aisling Dempsey
Fianna Fáil TD for Meath West, Aisling Dempsey has welcomed an announcement of over €1,000,000 in funding to expand early learning and childcare services across Meath West, part of a national €25 million investment under the Building Blocks Extension Scheme.
Deputy Dempsey stated, “This is fantastic news for families in Meath West and the wider region. Parents tell me time and again that finding a childcare place is one of the biggest challenges they face. This funding will directly ease that pressure by increasing the number of places available and providing more certainty for working parents.”
The scheme supports existing early learning and childcare providers, both community and private, to extend their facilities or even develop new premises, with the goal of creating 1,500 new childcare places nationwide.
Locally, 2 Meath West providers have secured major funding:
Deputy Dempsey continued, “These new places will give parents the peace of mind that comes with knowing they have consistent, reliable childcare in place. This investment by the Government is about giving families options and easing the stress of juggling work and childcare.
“As a former board member of Coiscéimeanna, I have seen first-hand both the vital role that community childcare plays and the challenges faced by parents. Continued Government funding for not-for-profit childcare services, like The Hive and Coisceimeanna, is essential to ensuring affordability, accessibility, and quality care for families across our communities.”
Grants under the scheme range from €500,000 for large-scale extensions to €750,000 for the construction or purchase of new community childcare facilities.
Deputy Dempsey continued, “Of course, this isn’t a silver bullet. We need to go further to support parents, providers, and communities. Today’s announcement is a step in the right direction, and I look forward to Minister Norma Foley’s action plan to set out the important next steps that build on the very positive foundations we now have in place.”
Concluding Deputy Aisling Dempsey stated, “I will continue working closely with my Fianna Fáil colleague, Minister Norma Foley, to push for increased investment in childcare services nationwide, while ensuring Meath West receives its fair share.
“This includes securing future capital programmes and exploring the possibility of running a Building Blocks-style scheme again next year to support the continued expansion of existing providers.”
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