Edward Timmins (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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179. To ask the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the progress on the evaluation framework for Core Funding; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29166/26]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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An evaluation of the first year of Core Funding and the development of an evaluation framework for Core Funding is currently underway. This project will examine the early implementation of Core Funding and make recommendations for future evaluations of the grant. Findings from the project are expected in the coming months.

The parameters of this review were limited to the first year of Core Funding, activities, and expenditure. As such, I do not anticipate this review providing a comprehensive set of recommendations for immediate implementation. Rather, the project will highlight remedial actions that can be incorporated without disruption to the ongoing operation of Core Funding. This review will provide a mechanism that will allow the Department to conduct more robust assessments of the efficacy and efficiency of Core Funding on an ongoing basis.

This review will set out an evaluation framework for Core Funding so that subsequent medium and long-term evaluations can ensure the scheme is meeting its intended objectives and that it remains an efficient use of exchequer funding. Where relevant, it will also highlight data gaps that exist, and further data that may require collection to comprehensively evaluate the scheme.

This project is being undertaken by Irish Government Economic and Evaluation Service or IGEES policy analysts working in the Research and Evaluation Unit of this Department.

IGEES is an integrated cross-government service established in 2012 with the objective of enhancing the role of economics and value for money analysis in public policy making. It is part of the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform.

Irish Government Economic and Evaluation Service (IGEES), policy analysts working in the research and evaluation unit of my department, are nearing completion of the Core Funding Year 1 evaluation. It is anticipated that an evaluation report will be submitted for my review in the very near future, with arrangements for publication to be made shortly thereafter.

It is envisaged that the future evaluations will have a broader scope and will be governed by a Steering Group. The terms of reference for future evaluations will be informed by the recommendations arising from the evaluation of the first year of the grant.

In addition to this project, I wish to remind the Deputy that the effectiveness of Core Funding has been subject to ongoing review since its introduction in 2022 and the Scheme itself has evolved year on year in response.