Tom Neville (Limerick County, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the 16% increase in funding for this budget. Funding should continue to increase on the back of improving economic circumstances and decreasing unemployment. I echo many of the questions asked by Deputy Lisa Chambers. On administration non-pay versus the ECCE preschool programme, will the Minister flesh out the reasons for the 31% increase in the allocation for non-pay administration costs? Is it connected with the 41% increase provided for the preschool programme? If so, what is the breakdown of both figures? How does the administration system operate? Is it electronic or paper based? Investment in technology tends to bear fruit by reducing administrative costs. This may creep into the capital area.