Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)

Core funding remains open and Once Upon a Time may reapply for the withdrawn services during the year and can join the overwhelming majority of providers. Already 90% of all providers are involved in core funding, which is a 5% increase on the number of providers involved in core funding this time last year. The opportunity remains open to Once Upon a Time to reapply for the services it has withdrawn. The Department is always exploring the potential for further changes to enhance core funding. Any changes for year five, starting 26 September, would be based on the operation of year four of the scheme, starting this month as well as stakeholder input. The issues faced by families accessing Once Upon a Time services will inform that work.

I also want to acknowledge the fourth year of core funding began on 1 September 2025 and as of that date, 4,336 services have signed up for the fourth year. Core funding has been designed with maximum participation of providers in mind, as reflected in the year-on-year growth of investment in this scheme from 259 in year one to 390 in year four.

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