Childcare Services
Dail Éireann — 2026-09-17
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Norma Foley (FF), Kerry

I want to be clear that I am absolutely committed to continuing to engage with the sector and all concerned to continue to develop the scheme in order that it can support providers to deliver high-quality early learning and childcare to children that is sustainable. I think that is the rub of the Deputy's question - sustainability.
To address concerns surrounding service sustainability, targeted measures including a flat rate for sessional-only services and a minimum core funding allocation were introduced in year 2 of the scheme. These were enhanced in year 4.
The Department also ran a fee increase assessment process during programme year 3 of core funding, whereby partner services charging fees below the county average were eligible to apply to be assessed for a fee increase. I have made the decision to launch a revised version of this process for the upcoming programme year, the sustainability review process.
That is exactly what the Deputy has asked, in terms of those who are having challenges around sustainability. I have made the decision to launch that sustainability review process. The eligibility criteria for the review process have been refined to target vulnerable services where fees have been frozen at low levels since at least 2021. Without such a review, there is a risk that these providers will be unable to continue operating, which would reduce the number of places for children available in the sector. That review is exactly as the Deputy asked, namely to support providers.

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Record URI: https://data.oireachtas.ie/akn/ie/debateRecord/dail/2026-09-17/debate/main
Retrieved: 2026-09-28T05:50:48+00:00
Sitting date: 2026-09-17