Dr. Anne-Marie Brooks:

I will respond but colleagues might want to add to the points I raise.

Regarding core funding, the new funding model and the impact for ECCE-only services, I referred earlier to year 1 of core funding where concerns were raised by representative groups on the core funding allocation for ECCE and sessional services. Arising from that, the Minister commissioned a review of the financials of sessional services which was undertaken by Frontier Economics. It was a case-study report and a very small number of services participated in the review. We hope to finalise that publication and make it available in the coming weeks or months.

On foot of the concerns raised in year 1 of core funding by representative groups, the Minister introduced targeted measures for year 2 of core funding. This was the flat rate allocation for sessional services of €4,150 and the core funding floor I mentioned of €8,150. That benefited, and was primarily designed for, small sessional services.

In year 2 of core funding, the average allocation increased by 7% for services, but the allocation for sessional-only services increased by 32%, rising from €14,000 to €18,600. In year 2 of core funding, through those targeted measures, there was a very direct attempt to support small sessional services. On the financial returns, Ms Fleming referred to the importance of that data to make further decisions in relation to year 3 of core funding and the allocation model which will be announced next spring. Those financial returns are important so that we can respond to any particular needs of different service types, such as those in rural areas described by the Deputy. Funding is available through year 3 with €21 million unallocated as yet to bring forward enhancements to core funding and to address any of the issues, concerns, or challenges being faced by services.

Regarding the separate review of the ECCE programme, this evaluation was carried out by Stranmillis University College in Belfast. The work is being undertaken as a precursor to putting the scheme on a statutory footing. It has been in place since 2009-2010 and has been doubled in terms of the years of preschool families can avail of. We have strong uptake. Some 96% of children participate in the preschool programme and it is bringing enormous benefits to children and families. There is a commitment to continued investment in the scheme. There is also a commitment by the Minister to put the scheme on a statutory footing. That piece of work is close to conclusion also, with a view to it being published in Q1 of next year.