Louth County Childcare Funding

The National Childcare Investment Programme (NCIP) 2006-2010 Came into effect on 1 January 2006 and succeeded the existing Equal Opportunities Childcare Programme (EOCP) 2000-2006. (Download Outline)

From 1 January 2006, both the Childcare Programme 2006-2010 and the EOCP will be managed by the Office of the Minister for Children. Pobal (formerly known as ADM Ltd) will continue to implement the day-to-day operation of the EOCP as well as taking on this role under the NCIP 2006-2010.

The NCIP 2006-2010 will build on the existing EOCP Programme and will incorporate a number of key objectives. These are to:

Increase the supply and improve the quality of early childhood care and education services, part-time and full day care, school age childcare and childminding,
Support families to break the cycle of poverty and disadvantage,
Support a co-ordinated approach to the delivery of childcare, which is centred, on the needs of the child.

New Programme Priorities:
The NCIP 2006-2010 aims to provide a proactive response to the development of quality childcare supports and services, which are grounded in an understanding of local needs. The County and City Childcare Committees will play a key role in the implementation of the New Programme to enable greater flexibility and responsiveness to local needs.

The following services will be eligible for support - those providing care for babies, full day care, part time places, pre-school places, school age childcare including "wrap around" childcare places and childminding. Special consideration will be given to support services, which provide a range of the above.

It is a requirement for all providers who are seeking capital grants under the National Childcare Investment Programme 2006-2010 (NCIP) to operate for at least 46 weeks of the year and five days a week and sessional services must be 3 ½ hours in duration. Reduced levels of funding are available for providers who do not meet these criteria. Contact the support and development team of LCCC for further information.

Expression of interest forms for the new Programme funding are now available and completed forms should be submitted to Louth County Childcare Committee. If you are a private provider please download the Expression of Interest Form - Capital Funding - Private Sector (File Size: 61KB).

If you are a community not for profit organisation please download the Expression of Interest Form - Capital Funding - Community Sector (File Size: 61KB).
National Childcare Investment Programme funding

Private Sector Capital Funding		Community/Not-for-Profit Sector Capital Funding
Applicants may apply for grant assistance of up to €100,000, towards the capital cost of developing a childcare service facility in a catchment area where there is a demonstrated childcare need. The level of funding granted will be determined by the number of places which the group proposes to provide. Applications for more than one grant under this scheme may be considered, provided the subsequent childcare facilities are in different catchment areas areas and subject to an overall ceiling of €500,000 per applicant. In each case, an applicant must provide at least 25% of the total funding required for the project.		An expanded capital grant scheme for community/not-for-profit sector childcare providers came into operation on 1 January, 2006. Groups may apply for grant assistance based on a demonstrated childcare need in the area. The level of funding granted will be determined by the number of places which the group proposes to provide. A limit of €1,200,000 is the maximum grant payable per project. Capital grant applications from community/not-for-profit groups will take account of the sustainability of a project. Childcare Subvention scheme will replace the EOCP Staffing grants and will come into operation in January 2008.

Other Grant Schemes
There is capital grant aid available to assist Childminding services. Childminders, subject to voluntary notification or compliance with childcare regulations may be considered for capital grant funding for necessary renovative work or equipment related to the service. Such applications will be subject to a maximum amount of € 5,000 per equivalent childminding place.
There is quality related grant aid and grants for short time services available through the National Childcare investment Programme. Please contact the Louth County Childcare Committee for further details.
A grant scheme to assist Parent and Toddler Groups is available from the Katherine Howard Foundation. See our links page.

Childcare subvention Scheme- Funding for Community based services to develop sustainable quality childcare.

For more information on the National Childcare Investment Programme please download the following information: