Written answer
Defective Building Materials
The €135 million State-led childcare infrastructure programme has no specific priority mechanism for facilities affected by defective concrete. While the Department does not handle remediation or compensation, affected services can seek case management and sustainability funding, relocation assistance and alternative childcare places through their local Childcare Committee.
141. Deputy Charles Ward asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality whether childcare facilities affected by defective concrete are being prioritised under the State-led childcare infrastructure programme; and if not, if consideration will be given to establishing such a priority mechanism. [67389/26]
Comment on this
Earlier this year, I announced €135 million in capital investment in buildings for high-quality, accessible State-led early learning and childcare up to 2030. This is a ground-breaking initiative for Government beginning this year. Capital funding will be used to acquire and/or fit out the buildings, depending on requirements.
The programme was launched earlier this year and has six objectives, including the delivery of additional supply in suitable locations, cost-effectiveness and timeliness and supporting improved public management of the sector. A range of tools have been developed to assess projects' alignment with the programme objectives including a forward planning model to analyse early learning and childcare supply and demand.
The Department has received project proposals from a number of sources since the programme was launched. These projects are in very different stages of development. Some relate to existing buildings ready to occupy or fit out, while others are longer-term prospects for future years. Not all proposals align with the programme objectives. Some projects are proposed by an existing early learning and childcare service provider, while others relate to a building/property only and a separate process to identify an operator would be required.
The Department is aware that this is not an exhaustive list of all projects that could form part of this programme of investment and continues to invite proposals for projects and seek potential projects for consideration. Local City and County Childcare Committees are supporting the development of projects. In the first instance, community early learning and childcare operators, local authorities, developers, or others who might have a suitable premises or projects should contact their local City or County Childcare Committee and submit a preliminary appraisal form.
The Department of Children, Disability and Equality does not have direct responsibility for structural remediation or compensation for defective concrete affected buildings.
However, the Department of Children, Disability and Equality works with Pobal and local Childcare Committees to offer Case Management Supports to services in difficulty. Through this, services may also access Sustainability Funding following an assessment of need. There are examples of sustainability funding for services who needed to relocate due to defective blocks.
Any service which is affected by defective concrete blocks should contact their local City/County Childcare Committee in the first instance.
The local City/County Childcare Committees can also help to source suitable alternative places for children attending these services if necessary should the service be unable to relocate.