Emer Currie (Dublin West, Fine Gael)

I will pick up on some points raised by Deputy Boland on the early learning and childcare schemes. Am I right in saying that ECCE overspent, that AIM underspent, that there was an overspend on the national childcare scheme, that core funding was an underspend and that Equal Start was an underspend? I am new to this process, so I want to confirm that.

In relation to Equal Start, I am surprised that there is an underspend. I know it is a new scheme, but it is very much needed in areas of disadvantage and concentrated disadvantage. What has been learned there because it has started from a small base? It is great to see that in budget 2026 the funding has been increased by 30%. What has been learned for Equal Start? It is an important project.