Steven Matthews (Wicklow, Green Party)
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79. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the percentage amount that investment in early years has increased by in each of the past eight years; the total percentage increase in that period; his plans for future investment in this area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56222/22]

Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
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There has been an unprecedented increase in State investment in early learning and childcare since 2015, albeit from a low base.

Over the period 2015-2018, investment increased by 84 per cent – rising from €265 million per annum to €485 million per annum. This increased investment provided for a doubling of State-funded pre-school under the ECCE Programme – from one year to two – as well the introduction and roll out of the Access and Inclusion Model among other initiatives.

First 5, the Whole of Government Strategy for Babies Young Children and their Families was published in 2018 with an ambitious investment target of at least doubling expenditure in the sector by 2028 to approximately €1 billion.

A new funding model was identified as the key vehicle to ensure that such significant additional investment delivers for children, families and the State.

Further to Budget 2023, that investment target will be reached next year, five years ahead of schedule.

This significant investment in 2023 will be largely delivered through Together for Better, the new funding model launched in September this year - with €266 million allocated to the new Core Funding Scheme, €358 million allocated to the National Childcare Scheme, and €308 million allocated for the Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) programme including the Access and Inclusion Model (AIM).

With investment in the sector to be €1.025m in 2023 –the total percentage increase over the period 2015-2023 will be 388%.

Exceeding the investment target of €1 billion five years ahead of schedule is a clear demonstration of the value Government places on early learning and childcare, given the benefits it confers to children and their families, society and the economy.

I recognise that however that, despite this progress, investment in Ireland remains low be international standards and I am committed to securing further increases in future Budgets. A revised investment target will be considered in the context of the second implementation plan for First 5, to be finalised in 2023.

The table below sets out the early learning and childcare yearly allocation for the past eight years: