Local TD Denis Naughten has confirmed that six childcare providers across Roscommon and East Galway have received capital funding of €214,807 to create more places for under 3s, school age children and for fire safety improvements.

The Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, Dr Katherine Zappone, has announced a total national allocation of €6.25m to create an additional 3,600 childcare places through capital funding for providers of Early Years and School Age Childcare services.

Denis Naughten stated: “There was a large number of applications this year for the scheme from providers across the country and here in East Galway and Roscommon which clearly shows there is a real need in our communities for increased investment in the childcare sector.

“My colleague, the Minister for Children Katherine Zappone is working hard on securing this funding for providers and this year six local childcare providers have received more than €214,807. While those providers who were not successful in this round of applications will be disappointed, the allocation of funding to the six successful applicants is welcome.  More childcare places will be of huge benefit to the communities, local schools and families that they serve.

“Working with Minister Zappone I will continue to press for increased investment in childcare through the Budget 2020 process so providers can provide the highest quality of childcare for families throughout County Roscommon and East Galway.”

The successful local applications were: Strokestown Community Playschool €19,905 to provide new places for school age children; Rooskey Community Company €70,000 to provide new places for school age and 0-3 year olds; Mountbellew Community Childcare Centre €50,000 to provide new places for 0-3 year olds; Ballinderry Childcare Crèche, Kilconnell €49,998 to provide new places for 0-3 year olds; Lawrencetown Community Development Group €20,000 to provide new places for school age children and Croghan Fairy Bush €4,904 for fire safety improvements.

ENDS.