Oireachtas Joint and Select Committees

Thursday, 12 June 2025

Committee on Children and Equality

Priority Issues Facing the Department: Minister for Children, Disability and Equality

2:00 am

Photo of Norma FoleyNorma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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I recognise that those who received support through building blocks experienced a very positive uplift. There has to be strict criteria regarding what providers will give in return for receiving funding. Some of the funding was quite significant at over €700,000 so there has to be an absolute guarantee that the providers will give that back for the benefit for which it was given in the first place, which is to ensure not just that providers create places but that those places will remain. Obviously, we will look at everything going forward. I would love to do more in this space but it is a question of having the finance. I want to be realistic and say that we are spreading ourselves now, in terms of the public model, but I want us to continue to support private providers.