Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)

As I have said previously, there has been almost €1 billion of investment by the State into this whole sector. It is unprecedented; it has never been done before. It has had a significant impact, both in terms of supporting providers, but also reducing costs for parents. We are now seeing more services opening than closing, which is a significant feature and consequence of core funding. In fact, 92% of all providers are in the core funding model. It is very high. As a consequence, we have seen fee freezes in a majority of services. We have seen a stability of funding for providers, which is hugely important to them. Again, as I have said, we have the lowest level of closures in six years. It is quite significant in that respect. There is more work to be done here, however. I hear, from engagement with providers, that there are issues for them with regard to the amount of administrative burdens placed on them. We are doing a body of work in that regard, while also supporting parents and workers in the sector.

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