FIVE Limerick childcare services were among 151 to be awarded grants under the Building Blocks Improvement Scheme.
The green energy and retrofit upgrade grants of €35,000 to €75,000 were accrued locally by Busy Kids, Ballycummin (€75,000); Nursery Times, Mallow Street (€74,626); Riverside Early Childhood Centre, St Ita’s Street (€73,898); St Mary’s Pre School and Homework Club, Bishop Street (€60,155); and Naionra na nÓg, Old Cratloe Road (€35,125).
The Green Energy Strand supports the Climate Action Agenda and the Programme for Government, which aim to transition to a carbon neutral economy by the end of 2050 and to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 51 per cent by 2030. Under this Strand, grants are being provided to help services to increase their energy efficiency by utilising renewables, where feasible, through the installation of solar panels, heat pumps and insulation.
The Retrofit Strand is supporting existing services in need of upgrading. Eligible works include kitchen refurbishment, upgrading of sanitary facilities for children and adults, roof repairs, and the replacement and upgrading of flooring.
In total, 151 services across the country have been awarded grants under the scheme.
“As every sector aims to reduce carbon emissions, in line with Ireland’s Climate Action Plan, I am delighted that early learning and childcare providers across the country will be using these grants to install solar panels, insulate buildings, and improve energy efficiency. This will mean greener, warmer buildings, with the added benefit of lower running costs for providers,” said Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration, and Youth Roderic O’Gorman.
