142. Deputy Charles Ward asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality measures in place to ensure that childcare places are not lost where a childcare facility affected by defective concrete becomes unsafe or unsuitable for occupation. [67392/26]

The defective concrete blocks issue is an ongoing wider government issue. Responsibility for defective concrete blocks remediation and capital reconstruction rests primarily with other government departments and local authorities. This 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 concrete.

Any service which is affected by defective concrete blocks should contact their local City/County Childcare Committee in the first instance.

The City/County Childcare Committee will assist the service in finding a suitable alternative location and will engage with Pobal and the Department regarding sustainability funding to facilitate the relocation of the service.

The local City/County Childcare Committees will also source suitable alternative places for children in attendance of these services to ensure minimal disruption to their learning and care should the service be unable to relocate.

Contact details for the CCCs can be found at City and County Childcare Committees.