Sixteen childminders in Galway have been awarded grants so far in 2020 – the joint-highest number of any county outside of Dublin.
The Galway-based childminders received around €1,000 each under the Childminder Development Grant to improve the quality and safety of the service in their homes.
Across the country, 202 people were awarded the grants, and €15,194 in total was handed over to people in Galway.
The scheme, which is now closed to applications, provides up to €1,000 for childminders who are providing the service in their own homes.
Minister for Children Roderic O’Gorman said that the total funding that was available to childminders this year was €250,000.
The money can be used to buy small capital items, equipment, toys and minor adaptation costs. The grants may also give financial assistance to new childminders with their initial set-up costs.
This year’s round saw a significant jump in the number of successful applicants – a 50% increase from 2019.
In Mayo, 16 childminders were awarded grants, totalling €15,407, while in Limerick 13 childminders were given almost €1,000 each.
In Donegal, five childminders were given funding.
