Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

There needs to be a meeting of the ways here because the new funding model in operation since September offers ECCE providers public funding of at least an additional €9.75 per child per week. That is 40% more than the €7 increase in capitation sought by the federation. The change in the funding model increases investment in session and pre-school services from approximately €14 million per year last year to €27 million per year on top of standard capitation, an almost 90% increase. Under core funding, therefore, the overwhelming majority of services will see an increase in their funding. Most will see very substantial increases and no service will see a decrease in funding if its circumstances remain the same. Services without a graduate lead educator will see capitation increase by €9.5 million. There may be a number of services for which this poses a difficulty. I suggest that the Minister engages with those services and see if we can get something resolved.

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