Peter Cleere (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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654. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth regarding increase in capital funding for an organisation (details supplied); and the supports in place to help them purchase-lease land given that they may lose their current home [15578/25]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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The introduction of Core Funding in 2022 brought a significant increase in investment for the sector, with €259 million of funding paid directly to services in year 1 of the scheme, of which €210.8 million was entirely new funding to the sector. Core funding increased by 11% to reach €287 million for the second year of the scheme (September 2023 to August 2024) and by a further 15% to €331 million for the current and third year of the scheme (September 2024 to August 2025).

Moreover, as part of the progressive development of the fee management system under Core Funding, the Department introduced new developments to fee management in year 3 of Core Funding.

While the fee freeze remains in place for a majority of services for year 3 of the scheme, in light of concerns about the fee freeze raised by some providers charging low fees, a fee increase assessment process was introduced, whereby services with fees below the average in their county could apply to increase their fees up to an approved level by the Department.

A fee cap was also introduced for services joining Core Funding for the first time - creating a maximum price that can be charged for early learning and childcare, thereby bringing the highest fees charged down. This fee cap will be extended to all services from September 2025

The table below provides information on the Core Funding received by the service in question for year 1 and 2 of Core Funding as well as the estimated grant in year 3 of the scheme:

In the first instance City/County Childcare Committee will assist the affected service in trying to source a suitable alternative location. If a suitable alternative location is sourced, the Department will engage with Pobal and the Childcare Committee regarding the service and assist in funding a relocation through the Case Management Process.

I am informed that this service is engaging with their local City/County Childcare Committee on this matter.