Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputy. To confirm in terms of the core funding model, an unprecedented level of funding has gone into that for the first time. In year 1, €259 million was expended directly on core funding and €210.8 million was brand-new funding. That increased to €287 million in year 2 and presently in year 3, it has increased to €331 million.

Again, a very significant uplift is being provided by the Government to providers. It has a core funding fee management element to it as well in terms of affordability for parents. The Government has been very conscious of the cost for parents and families so it has committed to establishing a €200 per month cap on childcare costs in the lifetime of this Government. Significant progress has already been made in this regard through the establishment of the Together for Better funding model. This funding allows for greater control of the cost of early learning and childcare for parents, with adjustments that can be made on the supply and demand sides. On the demand side, it is important to say that the national childcare scheme allows for the flexible allocation of subsidies to families, where the highest subsidies are provided to the families that need them the most. System support for the national childcare scheme also supports rapid changes to eligibility parameters and subsidy parameters where directed by the Government. On the supply side, the core funding fee management measure ensures that fees do not grow significantly and absorb subsidies provided to parents.

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