Katherine Zappone announces €4m for childcare services

Minister for Children Katherine Zappone has announced €4 million to create more childcare places, upgrade existing childcare buildings and develop natural outdoor play areas at pre-schools.

Ms Zappone said she is “progressing” legislation to underpin her new subsidised childcare schemes which will be available to parents from the autumn.

Up to €50,000 is available to individual childcare centres towards construction projects that will enable them to take in more children. Another €20,000 is to be made available for upgrading at existing premises while capital grants of up to €5,000 are to be made available to smaller childcare operations to create natural outdoor play areas that “promote physical development, provide health benefits and facilitate children to learn about risk and challenges in a natural and safe environment”.