Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)

Let us be clear: when it was first conceived, the forward planning unit had absolutely nothing to do with the State-led model. The State-led model is an innovation of this Government, which is in place less than nine months. The Deputy is conflating two things that have nothing to do with each other. Let us have absolute clarity about that in terms of the timeline the Deputy is talking about. The Government is committed to delivering the State-led model, beginning this year, as part of a five-year Government commitment. We will do that work. We are committed to beginning that work and having the State-led model beginning to be in place in 2026. It will deliver, as I have said, somewhere between 600 and 800 places, depending on how many of the specific services we can put in place. That will be somewhere between six and eight services and we will build on this year on year as we go on.

In terms of other supports that are being provided for, other resources have been put in place in the Fingal area. Two services in Fingal have been shortlisted in 2025 for the building blocks model, one in Clonsilla and one in Lusk. Some €334,375 is being made available under the private extension strand to support additional places being provided. The State-led model is a new initiative and will take time. We have begun the work and we will see it materialise in 2026.

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