Michael Collins (Cork South-West, Independent Ireland Party)
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1075. To ask the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the number of early years services, excluding child minders, which have signed up to the core funding partnership from September 2025 to September 2026. [48254/25]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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As of 15 September 2025, 4,250 early learning and childcare services, excluding childminders, have signed up for the fourth year of Core Funding. This is nearly 5% higher than the number of services signed up to Core Funding at this time last year, and represents nearly 90% uptake by eligible services.

Core Funding remains open year-round to applicants and we will continue to see this number grow. For this reason, it is not yet possible to make an accurate assessment regarding the number of services that will sign up between now and the end of the programme year in August 2026.

I welcome the services entering into this partnership with the State. Widespread uptake of Core Funding will ensure that these services will benefit from over €390 million in State funding for the fourth programme year of Core Funding, while guaranteeing that affordability measures are passed on to as many families as possible. I look forward to working with these services in the coming year in the delivery of this invaluable service for the public good.

Michael Collins (Cork South-West, Independent Ireland Party)
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1076. To ask the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the number of early years services, excluding child minders, which are on the Tusla register in September 2025. [48255/25]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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As the subject matter of the Deputy's question relates to an operational matter for Tusla, I have referred the matter to them for a direct reply.

Michael Collins (Cork South-West, Independent Ireland Party)
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1077. To ask the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the number of early years services, excluding child minders, in existence before the core funding partnership started in September 2021. [48256/25]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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As the subject matter of the Deputy's question relates to an operational matter for Tusla, I have referred the matter to them for a direct reply.