I thank Deputy Sherlock for raising this important matter and for offering us the opportunity to respond. I am taking this Topical Issue matter on behalf of the Minister for children, Deputy Foley. With regard to resources through core funding, core funding is a grant to providers designed to support quality, sustainability and enhanced public management, with associated conditions in relation to fee control and cost transparency, incorporating funding for administration and to support the employment of graduate staff. The introduction of core funding in 2022 brought a significant increase in investment for this sector. This increased year on year and core funding now stands at €331 million in the current programme year. In addition to the core funding grant for early learning and childcare providers towards operating costs, which the services avail of, case management supports are also available from the Department for any services experiencing financial difficulty or that have concerns about their viability. This support can take the form of assisting services with interpreting analysis of staff ratios and cash flow, financial support for services, as well as more specialised advice and support appropriate to individual circumstances. These supports can be accessed by any core funding partner service by contacting their local city or county childcare committee. I have been informed by the Minister and her Department that the service in question is engaging with the Dublin City Childcare Committee and Pobal in relation to these supports. The Dublin City Childcare Committee and Pobal are assisting the service with considering all options that maintain its current capacity and hours, which may include temporary sustainability funding if appropriate. The decision by a service to close is ultimately a private business matter with which the Department cannot interfere. A meeting will take place between the board members and the parents-guardians this evening to discuss the potential closure of the afternoon session. The children attending the afternoon session have been offered a place in the service’s sister service, which is within 1 km of the service. Four of the eight children attending this session have accepted the offer of a place in the sister service. Additionally, other alternative arrangements are also being explored.

Sentiment score: 0.32

I agree with the sentiment of the matter the Deputy raised tonight. Certainly, the Department is committed to working with all core funding partner services concerned about their viability and to ensure we have oversight around case management processes. In this instance, it is between the provider, the local city and county childcare committee, and Pobal working together to assess and provide support to the early years and care services because we know how vital they are and we must ensure they are put on a more sustainable financial footing. If any services have concerns, they need to reach out to their local city and county childcare committee and the Department in respect of being informed of the types of support that may be available. The Department probably needs to do a better job in reassuring private providers because we are very much reliant on them right across the State. In my constituency, I know they are extremely important and really provide an important service. I refer to not just the providers but their staff as well. The core funding element did look at how we can strengthen staffing pay and recognition. We need to continue to do that. I will raise the issue the Deputy has raised with the Minister, Deputy Foley, and ensure we continue to invest in the sector and that the proper governance structures are in place.

Sentiment score: 0.49