James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

That is fair enough. The issue of quality, which was mentioned by the Deputy, is very important. Additional money has been put into the learner fund and many other initiatives around Síolta have been put in place. Quality is very important to us because we know that a poor quality school or preschool service can have an adverse effect on children, so it has to be of high quality to give better outcomes and better futures.

I am perfectly satisfied that there is adequate funding for next year. That is the way the scheme is designed. There would not be the full drawdown of the €180 million to which Deputy Troy alluded, which in fact is €175 million. The one figure I would dispute with the Deputy is the restored capitation cost of €11 million because as far as I know that is more in the region of €5 million to €6 million. However, given that the funding will not be available until September there is not a full year cost. In both instances there is ample funding for next year and the Estimates for the following year will have to pick it up and as the economy continues to recover that is a commitment the Government has made in terms of having a five-year plan, if re-elected. I hope any subsequent Government would honour the commitment because this is a critically important area.

The final point is on disability. It is intended that those with special needs can avail of the fund this year because that is a concern I have.

See this speech in context