Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 20 March 2025
418. Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of childcare providers that removed themselves from CORE funding in 2024; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13063/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraCurrently 93% or more than 4,400, providers having signed up for Core Funding in year 3.
There were a total of 11 services around the country who withdrew from the Core Funding scheme in 2024.
It is a matter for providers to decide whether they wish to withdraw from the Core Funding scheme, the significant financial supports it provides to providers and the certainty it provides to parents through the associated fee management measures. However, I am confident that given the level of investment and associated supports, services should not need to take this step.
The Agreement for the provision of Core Funding in Programme year 3 (2024/2025) states that services must give 3 months’ notice of their intention to withdraw to the scheme administrator, and 3 months' written notice to parents/guardians.
While a provider withdraws from Core Funding, they remain eligible in this programme year to provide the National Childcare Scheme (NCS), the Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) programme and the Community Childcare Subvention Plus (CCSP) Saver programme.
I do not want any service to be faced with financial sustainability issues and officials in my Department are committed to working with any such service to support them in delivering early learning and childcare for the public good.
As such, in addition to the increased levels of Core Funding since the scheme was introduced, there are wider financial supports available from my Department where a service is experiencing financial difficulty or has concerns about their viability, which can be accessed while remaining within Core Funding.
I encourage services to avail of these supports as an alternative to withdrawing from Core Funding and removing the benefits of this Scheme to parents.
