Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)

We are already at 90% of providers having joined core funding, which is 5% ahead of where we were at this time last year. The opportunity to engage in core funding remains open and services can sign up to the fourth year of the scheme at any point in the year. It is significant to be able to say that at this stage of the year we have reached 90%. We are in an Estimates period and will in the next couple of weeks have the budget. I am committed to seeking to do even more to provide resources, notwithstanding, as the Deputy said, the significant resources provided for in terms of core funding.

The Deputy referred to services closing. Every year some services will close while new services will open. That is the reality of it but 2024 saw a net increase of 226 services.

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