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

It is an average cut of 25%. It is €121 million this year. We want to increase it again next year and do better. Overall, it is €259 million this year in core funding. Again, if the Deputy has specific issues, I invite her to take them up with the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth as well. We are getting some concerns articulated by some areas in the wider childcare sector but, by and large, the funding has gone up exponentially in the past two years. Last year, it was used to improve pay and conditions and the employment regulation order was introduced and agreed by unions and employers, which was good, while this year, we are working on affordability to a significant degree. The Minister is whispering to me about his bid for next year in terms of the Estimates but the Ministers for Finance and Public Expenditure and Reform are not here to comment. The Deputy might revert with details on the specific cases.

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