Naoise Ó Muirí
Ceist:357. Deputy Naoise Ó Muirí asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if she will provide an update on a matter (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53869/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraWednesday, 15 July 2026
Ceisteanna (357)
Freagraí scríofa
The Department cannot comment in detail on individual cases.
In instances where a fee increase is identified through a fee review process, sanctions will vary depending on the individual circumstances of each case. However, if a determination is made that there has been a breach of the Core Funding rules, a Partner Service has 60 working days to sign a Declaration and carry out remediation of any breach of the Core Funding rules. The Partner Service may be asked to provide evidence of remediation after the 60 days, such as:
• Restored fees to the correct level, if applicable.
• Informed and refunded all parents who have been overcharged the full amount that they have overpaid, or agreed a repayment plan with them, if applicable.
• Updated the relevant Fee Table and Parent Statement for Partner Services on the HIVE, posted them in public locations on the premises, and emailed them to all parents as required by the Core Funding Partner Service Funding Agreement, if applicable.
Failure to provide evidence of remediation may result in the Minister suspending Core Funding to the Partner Service and/or terminating the Core Funding Partner Service Funding Agreement.
Should the Partner Service’s funding be suspended, it may remain suspended until the Department is satisfied that the Partner Service has demonstrated its compliance with the outcome of the Fee Review Process.
Should the Partner Service fail to submit the Declaration and provide evidence that they have carried out the remedial actions by the end of the programme year, any suspended funding may be forfeit.
It is important to note that as Core Funding is an optional scheme, services have the autonomy and business freedom to not participate in or withdraw from Core Funding.
Should a service withdraw from Core Funding the National Fee Review Team cannot enforce any of the remedial actions. However, if the service wishes to re-join Core Funding their funding will be suspended until the service demonstrates its compliance with the Fee Review.