Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

The sum is not linked to tackling disadvantage. It is separate from that. We have a work programme. I recognised the issue of wraparound hours very early on and, in fairness, the Deputy raised it with me. We acted on it in our first budget. The two most recent budgets have focused on core funding and the delivery of NCS investment, which, I think we all agree, is welcome. We need to work on two other issues of priority for me, that is, the tackling disadvantage strand and seeing whether we can broaden the access and inclusion model, AIM. They are very important issues. My officials will be engaging with relevant stakeholders including many of the people about whom the Deputy has spoken with regard to how we can properly design the tackling disadvantage strand and how it will operate.

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