Gaeltacht Minister Joe McHugh.
MORE than 20 creches and childcare centres in Donegal are to receive grants under a €600,000 funding package from the Government.
The funding will provide dozens of new childcare places for youngsters of school age and younger.
Making the announcement Minister Joe McHugh TD (FG) said: “Every parent knows the importance of high-quality, affordable and reliable childcare. It’s about giving our youngsters the best start in life and increased funding like this – double what creches and childcare centres in Donegal secured last year – takes us a long way on that road.”
The grants from the Department of Children and Youth Affairs (DCYA) will be provided across five strands to cover extra childcare places for early years and school age children, for essential maintenance and repair and natural outdoor play areas.
Among the projects which are being notified of successful bids for funding are Spraoi and Sport in Carndonagh, Naíonra Chnocfola, Naíonra Ailt a Chorráin in Letterkenny and Drumkeen Community Childcare in Ballybofey.
Minister McHugh said: “There are more than 20 creches and centres in Donegal on the list for this round of funding. I want to congratulate them all. This funding and the work they do is of immeasurable benefit to children and their mothers and fathers.
“The Fine Gael Government has produced a raft of extra childcare supports from the universal childcare subsidy, of up to €1,040 per year, to welfare supports for lower income families, worth up to €7,500 a year for kids to the age 15, in order to assist parents who are joining the workforce.
“The Government also extended free pre-school year packages under the ECCE scheme – saving families about €4,000 per child and we also introduced paid Paternity Leave for the first time in the history of the State.”
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