Almost 90 per cent of childcare services that sought funding from the Government for urgent maintenance and renovation work on their premises have been denied funding.
Of the 2,343 applications made to the Childcare Capital Programme 2012, only 290 applications were approved.
Yesterday the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs Frances Fitzgerald announced that €6 million in capital grant funding had been allocated to the 290 childcare facilities. Funding priority was given to facilities most at risk of closure.
Successful applicants received funding for roof repairs, dampness problems, sewerage problems, heating, windows, ventilation, sanitary or storage arrangements and security and safety enhancements.