Niamh Smyth (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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525. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if the parents' association of a core-funded preschool (details supplied) can hold fundraisers to raise money for the preschool; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4160/23]

Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
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In September 2022, I launched Together for Better, the new funding model for early learning and childcare. This new funding model supports the delivery of early learning and childcare for the public good, for quality and affordability for children, parents and families as well as stability and sustainability for providers. Together for Better brings together three major programmes, the Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) programme, including the Access and Inclusion Model (AIM), the National Childcare Scheme (NCS) and the new Core Funding scheme. 

Core Funding is worth €259 million in full year costs to start this partnership for the public good between the State and providers. Its primary purpose is to improve pay and conditions in the sector as a whole and improve affordability for parents as well as ensuring a stable income to providers.

Core Funding is distributed in a fair and reasonable manner that is related to services’ costs of delivery, taking into account the primary drivers of services costs and this is therefore the most proportionate and transparent manner to allocate funding. Core Funding for programme year 2022/23 will support providers in meeting their operating costs, including increased costs related to improved quality measures, in return for a commitment that fees to parents will not increase.

As stated in the Section 6.10. Core Funding Partner Service Funding Agreement, “The Partner Service agrees that they will neither request nor accept any donations, voluntary or otherwise from parents/guardians, in respect of the ELC/SAC services being provided.”

Under the Core Funding Partner Service Funding Agreement, fundraising events are not considered donations; if a Partner Service organises a fundraising event, parents may attend if they wish.

Furthermore, the Funding Agreement does not prevent a Partner Service from seeking or accepting voluntary donations from businesses or the wider community in respect of the ELC/SAC services they provide.