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

I believe some providers held off. Originally, we had an 89% national takeup. That is now up to 93%. As Deputy Richmond pointed out it was originally 81% in our constituency and now is up to 85%. That is marginal but it is moving in the right direction. This is just year 1 of core funding. Originally for year 1, when budget 2022 was announced, we had €207 million for core funding. Now for year 1, after this year's budget, it is €259 million. Even in the first year we grew the pot. I already have agreement for year 2 for an extra €28 million. One of the things that money is going to be used for is that the three-year qualification rule before a person can get the graduate subsidy will be removed. We are looking to grow the pot and do things to make core funding more attractive. I believe that, as providers see that core funding has delivered successfully and see the commitment of the Government to continue to support services, more services will sign up and we will see those numbers grow both nationally and in Dublin areas.

See this speech in context