Additional funding for childcare 'needed' in North Monaghan. A Monaghan councillor is calling for the Building Blocks Capital Programme to be "increased substantially". The €45 million announced for the programme in 2023. Moreover, a number of community groups in North Monaghan and elsewhere are awaiting the outcome of that grant funding.
Despite this, Fine Gael's Pauric Clerkin said it's clear that childcare groups in North Monaghan will be competing against one another to secure this funding.
Cllr Clerkin outlined his fears in relation to this. He said that whilst €45 million has been allocated overall; that sum alone could be spent on community childcare projects across Co Monaghan.
Indeed, as a result of a motion brought forward by Cllr Clerkin, Monaghan MD will write to the Minister for Children Norma Foley. That letter will ask for a substantial increase in the Building Blocks Capital Programme. The motion also received unanimous support from Monaghan MD.
Jodie Curran spoke with Cllr Clerkin. She asked him why it was so important to bring the need for additional funding for childcare to the fore:
