Over €1m boost for childcare places in Kildare South

Fianna Fáil Senator for Kildare South, Fiona O'Loughlin, has welcomed today’s (Monday May 19) announcement of over €1m in funding to expand early learning and childcare services across Kildare South.

The move is part of a national €25 million investment under the Building Blocks Extension Scheme.

Senator O’Loughlin said: “This is fantastic news for families in Kildare South and the wider regions. 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.”

Support

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, two Kildare South providers have secured major funding: Newbridge Family Resource Centre will receive €500,000, opening up 30 new places; and Bright Sparks in Allenwood will receive €500,000 creating 36 additional places.

“These new places will give parents the peace of mind that comes with knowing they have consistent, reliable childcare in place,” Senator O’Loughlin added.

“This investment by the government is about giving families options and easing the stress of juggling work and childcare.”

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.

Senator O’Loughlin 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, Senator O’Loughlin 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 Kildare 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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