Dr. Anne-Marie Brooks:

The introduction of fee controls in the context of the new funding model through core finding was informed by recommendations in the Partnership for the Public Good report. The expert group advised that we first move to stabilise what fees are charged to parents and that essentially was the fee freeze that we are seeing in years one and two of the scheme. The funding that is put through core funding will offset and address the extra costs that services face. The fee freeze will be introduced in a safe and sustainable way. For year three of core funding, we hope to evolve the fee management under core funding. The Minister has secured additional funding in year three of core funding and there is more than €21 million available for enhancements to the scheme.