11 childcare centres set for funding

OVER €250,185 in capital grants has been awarded to Kerry childcare providers by the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, Dr Katherine Zappone.

A total of €6.87m in Capital funding will be awarded to providers of Early Years and School Age Childcare across Ireland.

Tourism Minister Brendan Griffin provided a breakdown of the spend in Kerry and welcomed the announcement.

“The announcement follows on from the childcare measures we introduced last September, giving up to 70,000 children extra supports.

“This funding will contribute towards the creation of new childcare places, natural outdoor play areas and the essential maintenance and repair of services here in Kerry.

“The capital funding has been awarded following the completion of a very competitive application and appraisal process.

The approved Early Years and School Age Capital funding for 2018 has been made available to the following childcare providers here in Kerry: Puffins childcare in Firies; Stepping Stones in Tralee; Bellview Woods Childcare in Ballydowney, Killarney; Happy Campers Montessori in Listowel; Camp Community Childcare, Holy Cross Mercy Preschool in Killarney; Tiny Tots Playschool in Tralee; Early Learning Outdoors at IT Tralee; Milltown Childcare Centre; Dromthacker Creche, Tralee; and the First Step Childcare Centre in Listry.

The largest beneficiaries were Happy Campers in Listowel, Puffins in Firies and Stepping Stones in Tralee which each received between €49,000 and €50,000.

The others received sums varying from under €4,000 to €30,000.

“Families on lower incomes, who qualify by way of a means test, are eligible for supports worth up to €7,500 per year for children aged six months to 15 years of age. The aim is to ensure that parents previously prevented from taking up jobs, training or education because of the cost of childcare, are now able to join the workforce,” said Minister Griffin.