Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)

To reiterate, I am happy to look at any mechanism that will support the provision of additional places. I am very open to that, whatever that mechanism might be. We have opportunities to look afresh now, whether that is through mechanisms like the building blocks scheme or indeed through this new mechanism that we have through State-led facilities. Often, that does not necessarily mean building a new premise. The Deputy is quite correct; there are already existing buildings in towns and villages throughout the country.

On the issue of core funding, there is an evaluation of the first year of core funding currently under way. That review of core funding will allow us to have an evaluation framework that will facilitate ongoing reviews of each of the other years as well. It is my expectation that work will be completed before the end of the year. It will be facilitating a mechanism to allow us, on an ongoing basis, to review year-on-year core funding.

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